About
Dr. Steven Shuoh-Tyng Ma is a dedicated Ophthalmologist, committed to providing exceptional medical and surgical eye care to patients of all ages. Practicing at Richmond Hospital in Burnaby, BC, he is a trusted provider of specialized eye care in the community. He adheres to the standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC), ensuring that every patient receives safe and effective treatment. As a comprehensive ophthalmologist, he offers a full spectrum of services from routine eye examinations and vision correction to the management of complex eye diseases and surgical interventions. The eye clinic is designed to be accessible and comfortable for all patients, providing a professional and welcoming environment for comprehensive eye care.
Dr. Ma graduated with an MD from the University of Toronto in 1990 and has extensive postgraduate training in ophthalmology. He is an experienced ophthalmologist with a broad clinical background, holding key certifications including Certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. His training and credentials enable him to diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions with precision and compassion. He continually updates his skills to incorporate the latest advancements in eye care technology and surgical techniques, ensuring his patients benefit from state-of-the-art treatments.
His professional philosophy centers around preserving and improving vision through compassionate, patient-centered care. Dr. Ma emphasizes educating patients about their eye health and involving them in treatment decisions. He utilizes advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for accurate and effective treatments, with a focus on early detection and management of eye diseases to prevent vision loss. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, he strives to provide holistic care tailored to each patient's needs. Fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin, he ensures clear and effective communication with a diverse patient population, fostering trust and understanding in every consultation.
Dr. Steven Ma provides expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of eye conditions, including:
Refractive Errors and Vision Correction
Dr. Ma addresses common eye conditions where the eye does not bend (refract) light properly, leading to blurred vision.
- Presbyopia: Corrected with reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, multifocal contact lenses, or specific surgical options.
- Candidates for Refractive Surgery (e.g., LASIK, PRK, ICL): Assessment includes corneal thickness, refractive error stability, and overall eye health.
- Astigmatism: Often occurs in conjunction with myopia or hyperopia.
Cataracts and Lens Disorders
Dr. Ma addresses primary treatment involves surgical removal of the cataract and implantation of an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
- Dislocated Intraocular Lens (IOL) or Natural Lens: May require surgical repositioning, exchange, or suturing of the lens.
- Age-Related Cataracts: Surgical removal and lens implant is a highly effective treatment.
- Congenital or Pediatric Cataracts: Can significantly impact visual development and requires prompt surgical intervention if visually significant.
Glaucoma Management
Dr. Ma addresses early detection and lifelong management are crucial to preserving sight.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma (Acute or Chronic): Acute angle-closure is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
- Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Diagnosis can be challenging.
- Secondary Glaucoma (e.g., due to trauma, inflammation, steroids): Treatment involves managing the underlying cause and lowering eye pressure.
This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation of your eye health, a consultation with Dr. Steven Ma is necessary.
- YAG Laser Capsulotomy (for Secondary Cataract): Commonly performed to address blurry vision months or years post-surgery.
- Comprehensive Adult and Pediatric Eye Examinations: Includes refraction for glasses/contacts, intraocular pressure measurement, and dilated fundus examination.
- Advanced Technology Intraocular Lenses (IOLs): Includes toric IOLs for astigmatism correction and multifocal/EDOF IOLs for a range of vision.
- Surgical Procedures for Glaucoma (Trabeculectomy, Glaucoma Drainage Devices/Shunts, MIGS): Reserved for glaucoma not adequately controlled by medications or laser.
- Cataract Evaluation and Surgical Management: Comprehensive assessment for cataracts, including vision testing and evaluation of lens opacity.
- Glaucoma Screening, Diagnosis, and Monitoring: Comprehensive testing for glaucoma including intraocular pressure measurement, optic nerve imaging (OCT), visual field testing, and gonioscopy.
Note: This list provides an overview. Specific treatments are determined after a thorough eye examination and consultation with Dr. Ma.
All ophthalmology services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) and relevant Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) and relevant subspecialty guidelines. A referral from a physician or optometrist may be required for consultation.
Dr. Ma primarily practices at Richmond Hospital, situated in the vibrant Burnaby community within the BCIT area. The clinic is conveniently located in Central Burnaby, close to Deer Lake Park, offering a serene environment for eye care. Accessible via TransLink (SkyTrain Expo and Millennium Lines) and bus services, the location is easy to reach for patients across the region. The facility is designed to be accessible and welcoming, with ample parking available nearby, including some accessible spots. Patients can expect a professional, patient-friendly environment dedicated to comprehensive eye health services in a convenient location.
- What is the difference between an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Ma and an Optometrist?
- An Ophthalmologist like Dr. Ma is a medical doctor (MD/DO) who has completed medical school followed by residency training in ophthalmology. They are licensed to practice medicine and surgery, diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery, and prescribe medications, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. Optometrists (OD) are healthcare professionals who provide comprehensive eye care, including vision testing, prescribing corrective lenses, and diagnosing and managing certain eye abnormalities and diseases (scope varies by province/territory). They typically do not perform invasive surgery.
- What are some common eye conditions treated by Dr. Ma?
- Dr. Ma treats a wide array of eye conditions. Common ones include refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism), cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and eyelid disorders. Depending on any subspecialty training, he may also manage more complex retinal, corneal, or neuro-ophthalmic conditions. 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. Ma treat glaucoma?
- For glaucoma, Dr. Ma 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.
- What does an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Ma specialize in?
- An Ophthalmologist, such as Dr. Ma, is a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who specializes in comprehensive eye and vision care. This includes medical diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of eye diseases and disorders, as well as prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses. a Ophthalmologist, 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. Ma covered by provincial health insurance?
- Medically necessary services provided by an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Ma, 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, Medical Services Plan (MSP). 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. Ma's office or Medical Services Plan (MSP). Medically necessary eye exams and treatments for eye diseases like glaucoma or cataracts are typically covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP). Routine eye exams for glasses/contacts for adults (usually ages 19-64) may not be covered unless a specific medical condition affecting the eyes is present. Elective procedures such as cosmetic eyelid surgery or refractive laser surgery (LASIK/PRK) are generally not covered. It is recommended to verify coverage specifics with Dr. Ma's office or Medical Services Plan (MSP).
Richmond Hospital
4980 Kingsway Unit 503
Burnaby, BC V5H 4K7
Office Phone: (604) 704-7785 | Office Fax: (604) 285-6096
Dr. Ma is a licensed Ophthalmologist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) under the Health Professions Act in BC. A referral from a family physician or optometrist may be required for a consultation with Dr. Ma, particularly for services covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP).
Verify Dr. Ma's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/307265/Ma%2CSteven