About
Dr. Karolina Chmielewska is a dedicated Ophthalmologist, committed to providing exceptional medical and surgical eye care to patients of all ages. Practicing at the Centre de l'oeil de Chaudière-Appalaches (COCA) in Lévis, QC, she is a trusted provider of specialized eye care in the community. The clinic is located in the Saint-Romuald, Saint-Jean-Chrysostome West neighborhood, conveniently accessible near the Traverse Québec-Lévis (Ferry Terminal). The eye clinic is designed to be accessible and comfortable for all patients, with accessible facilities and convenient parking options usually found in proximity to the centre. Dr. Chmielewska adheres to the high standards set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ), ensuring quality and safety in all her treatments and consultations. Her focus is on comprehensive eye care, addressing a wide spectrum of eye health needs in a professional and welcoming environment.
She holds a Medical Degree from a recognized university and has been practicing as an Ophthalmologist since 2012, accumulating over 12 years of specialized experience. She has completed rigorous postgraduate training in ophthalmology and maintains certification to practice in Quebec, ensuring her skills are current and aligned with the latest advancements in eye care. Her certifications include comprehensive training in medical and surgical ophthalmology, enabling her to manage complex eye conditions with confidence and precision.
Dr. Chmielewska’s professional philosophy centers on preserving and improving her patients' vision through compassionate, state-of-the-art eye care. She emphasizes educating her patients about their eye health and involving them actively in treatment decisions. Utilizing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, she provides precise and effective treatments, with a focus on early detection and management of eye diseases to prevent vision loss. She is dedicated to collaborative care, working with other healthcare professionals to ensure her patients receive comprehensive and personalized attention. Dr. Chmielewska provides all her consultations and treatments in French, ensuring clear communication and understanding for her patients in Lévis.
Dr. Karolina Chmielewska provides expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of eye conditions, including:
Refractive Errors and Vision Correction
Dr. Chmielewska addresses common eye conditions where the eye does not bend (refract) light properly, leading to blurred vision.
- Myopia (Nearsightedness): A condition where distant objects appear blurry because the eye focuses images in front of the retina instead of on the retina.
- Candidates for Refractive Surgery (e.g., LASIK, PRK, ICL): Assessment includes corneal thickness, refractive error stability, and overall eye health.
- Presbyopia: Corrected with reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, multifocal contact lenses, or specific surgical options.
Cataracts and Lens Disorders
Dr. Chmielewska addresses conditions related to the clouding of the eye's natural lens (cataract) or other lens abnormalities.
- Dislocated Intraocular Lens (IOL) or Natural Lens: May require surgical repositioning, exchange, or suturing of the lens.
- Congenital or Pediatric Cataracts: Can significantly impact visual development and requires prompt surgical intervention if visually significant.
- Age-Related Cataracts: Clouding of the eye's natural lens that occurs as part of the aging process, leading to blurry vision, glare, and difficulty seeing at night.
Glaucoma Management
Dr. Chmielewska addresses early detection and lifelong management are crucial to preserving sight.
- Secondary Glaucoma (e.g., due to trauma, inflammation, steroids): Glaucoma that develops as a result of another medical condition, eye injury, medication use (like steroids), or previous eye surgery.
- Congenital or Childhood Glaucoma: A rare form of glaucoma occurring in infants and young children due to abnormal development of the eye's drainage system.
- Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Diagnosis can be challenging.
This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation of your eye health, a consultation with Dr. Karolina Chmielewska is necessary.
- Vision Testing and Prescription for Eyeglasses & Contact Lenses: Prescription and fitting of corrective lenses, including specialized contact lenses.
- Laser Treatments for Glaucoma (SLT, LPI, Cyclophotocoagulation): Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) to improve fluid drainage in open-angle glaucoma.
- YAG Laser Capsulotomy (for Secondary Cataract): A quick and painless outpatient laser procedure to treat posterior capsular opacification (secondary cataract) that can occur after cataract surgery.
- Glaucoma Screening, Diagnosis, and Monitoring: Risk assessment for individuals with family history or other risk factors.
- Cataract Evaluation and Surgical Management: Discussion of IOL options (monofocal, toric, multifocal, extended depth of focus) to meet individual visual needs.
- Surgical Procedures for Glaucoma (Trabeculectomy, Glaucoma Drainage Devices/Shunts, MIGS): Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) procedures, often combined with cataract surgery.
Note: This list provides an overview. Specific treatments are determined after a thorough eye examination and consultation with Dr. Chmielewska.
All ophthalmology services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) and relevant Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) and relevant subspecialty guidelines. A referral from a physician or optometrist may be required for consultation.
Practicing primarily within the Centre de l'oeil de Chaudière-Appalaches (COCA), Dr. Chmielewska's clinic is situated in Lévis's Saint-Romuald, Saint-Jean-Chrysostome West neighborhood. The clinic is conveniently accessible near the Traverse Québec-Lévis (Ferry Terminal) and is well-served by the Société de transport de Lévis (STLévis). The facility is designed to be accessible and comfortable for all patients, offering a welcoming environment for comprehensive eye care. Patients can find usually available parking nearby, making visits convenient and stress-free. The clinic provides a full spectrum of eye care services, from routine examinations to advanced surgical procedures, all delivered in a professional and caring manner.
- Do I need a referral to see Dr. Chmielewska?
- For most consultations with an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Chmielewska that are covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)), a referral from your family physician or an optometrist is typically required. This ensures that your visit is appropriate and that Dr. Chmielewska receives relevant medical history. For some urgent eye conditions or specific services, direct access might be possible, but it's always best to check with Dr. Chmielewska's office regarding their referral policy. The clinic's fax number for referrals is typically (581) 838-0497.
- What are some common eye conditions treated by Dr. Chmielewska?
- As an Ophthalmologist, Dr. Chmielewska manages numerous eye problems. These frequently include prescribing glasses/contacts, performing cataract surgery, treating glaucoma with medications or lasers, managing retinal issues like macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, and addressing infections or inflammations of the eye. providing comprehensive medical and surgical eye care, including the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye diseases and vision problems.
- Are services from Dr. Chmielewska covered by provincial health insurance?
- Medically necessary services provided by an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Chmielewska, such as the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases (e.g., glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy) and medically indicated surgeries (e.g., cataract surgery), are generally covered by your provincial health plan, Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). However, routine eye exams for adults of certain age groups without specific medical conditions, and procedures considered cosmetic (like elective refractive surgery or some eyelid procedures) are typically not covered. It's advisable to confirm coverage details with Dr. Chmielewska's office or Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
- What does an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Chmielewska specialize in?
- Dr. Chmielewska is an Ophthalmologist, a physician with extensive training in all aspects of eye health. She provides complete eye exams, diagnoses conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal diseases, and can perform complex eye surgeries. providing comprehensive medical and surgical eye care, including the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye diseases and vision problems.
- How does Dr. Chmielewska treat glaucoma?
- For glaucoma, Dr. Chmielewska will develop a personalized treatment plan which can involve daily eye drop medications to reduce eye pressure, in-office laser treatments to improve fluid drainage, or surgical interventions if medications and lasers are insufficient to control the pressure and protect your vision.
- When should I see an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Chmielewska?
- A visit to Dr. Chmielewska is recommended for routine eye health check-ups, particularly if you have risk factors for eye diseases. Immediate attention is needed for symptoms such as sudden loss or blurring of vision, flashes of light, an increase in floaters, eye pain, or discharge. Your primary care physician or optometrist may also refer you for specialized medical or surgical eye care.
- What is the difference between an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Chmielewska and an Optometrist?
- The key difference is that an Ophthalmologist, such as Dr. Chmielewska, is a physician and surgeon specializing in eye care, able to provide the full spectrum of medical and surgical treatments for eye diseases. Optometrists are primary eye care providers who conduct eye exams, prescribe glasses and contacts, and can diagnose and manage many eye conditions with medications or refer to an ophthalmologist for more complex issues or surgery. Both play vital roles in eye health.
Centre de l'oeil de Chaudière-Appalaches (COCA)
104-950 Rue De La Concorde
Lévis, QC G6W 8A8
Office Phone: (418) 830-7489 | Office Fax: (581) 838-0497
Dr. Chmielewska is a licensed Ophthalmologist regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Medical Act in QC. A referral from a family physician or optometrist may be required for a consultation with Dr. Chmielewska, particularly for services covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
Verify Dr. Chmielewska's registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=12463