Common Diseases of the Eye

Glaucoma is a when the pressure within the eye is increased, and can damage parts of the eye and if left untreated can result in vision loss. As the symptoms for glaucoma are not always noticable we recommend you have your eyes checked at least every 24 months. Your optometrist will measure the pressure of your eye to check for glaucoma during your regular eye examination. Treatment normally consists of special drops to control pressure; however in advanced cases laser surgery may be necessary.

A Cataract is a when the lens inside the eye become cloudy resulting in misty vision.  Symptoms are gradual and painless you may notice a decrease visual clarity and may become more sensitive to glare and could even experience double vision. Treatment comprises of the removal of the lens and insertion of an artificial lens (also known as - an intra-ocular lens)

Macular Degeneration is damage to the macula (the central part of the retina). Regular eye exams will allow early detection and treatment. Macular degeneration can be age or toxin related. A good health diet can help prevent MD and supplements maybe recommended if your diet is lacking or if you have a family history of this disease.  Protect your eyes from UV radiation with sunglasses.

Pterygium is a growth of degenerative tissue on the sclera (the white part of the eye) it can grow quite large if left untreated.  It's commonly found on the inner side of the eyeball. Long term UV exposure, wind, glare and dust is the cause.. Treatment:  Easily removed with surgery.

Floaters are semi-transparent specks of natural materials which float in eye. They look like worms or spiders floating around in your eye.   The are caused by remnants of an artery (the hyaloid) which is present in your eye before birth, or injury or eye disease. A sudden increase in floaters can indicate something more serious, so when in doubt seek professional help,  it could be a retinal condition, which optometrist will be able to determine any advise the necessary treatment.

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the edge of the eyelids. Symptoms: crusty eye lashes and sore red irritated eye lids, it could also feel like you have something in your eye causing a scratchy feeling. Treatment:  Better eye lid hygiene, antibiotic drops. This infection is associated with "pink eye" conjunctivitis  an inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Diabetic Retinopathy - a condition of the retina which occurs when diabetes is present and damage is done to the retinal blood vessels resulting in haemorrhages on the retina. A high percentage of all diabetics have retinal damage. Treatment is laser coagulation of the damaged blood vessels and works well if detected early. Regular eye examinations are recommended.

Amblyopia (Lazy eye) is a reduced vision, generally in only one eye. The condition usually results from poor eye co-ordination, from having a turned eye, or after having one eye which requires a far greater lens power.

The reduced vision occurs as one eye is being used less than the other. When detected early enough, patching, vision training and contact lenses may help to reverse or prevent permanent damage to the vision.

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and part of your eyeball. The cause of pink eye is commonly a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction or - in newborns - an incompletely opened tear duct.

Pink eye may make you feel as if you've got something in one or both of your eyes that you just can't remove. When you wake up in the morning, your eyes may seem to be pasted shut from the discharge coming from your eyes. The whites of your eyes may begin to have a pink discoloration, and you may not see as clearly as you did before.

Inflammation causes small blood vessels in the conjunctiva to become more prominent, resulting in a pink or red cast to the whites of your eyes. Pink eye and red eye are terms commonly used to refer to all types of conjunctivitis.

Though the inflammation of pink eye makes it an irritating condition, it rarely affects your sight. If you suspect pink eye, you can take steps to ease your discomfort. But because pink eye can be contagious, it should be diagnosed and treated early. This is especially important for preschool-age children, who commonly develop both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis.

Nothing is more precious than your sight and you should never put it at risk.