Category: Eye conditions

Regular eye exams are just as important as any other type of medical check-up, such as visiting your dentist or your GP. “But I don’t even need glasses or contact lenses,” you may think. “My eyesight is perfect!” Alternatively, you may already have glasses or contact lenses, and don’t see the need to book an eye exam when you’re satisfied with your current prescription. While this may be the case, eye exams actually do more than check your eyesight—the secondary purpose of eye exams is to also monitor for signs of broader health issues. Early detection of these issues could even save your life.

The vital role of routine eye examinations

By making regular eye exams a part of your year-round health routine, you’re not only protecting your vision, but proactively maintaining your overall health. Here’s how routine eye exams can help you maintain your eye health.

1. Spotting early signs of vision problems

Optometry professionals are trained to spot the early signs of vision problems, which can affect various aspects of your visual function, including distance vision and peripheral vision. Through a routine eye examination, optometrists can identify issues that might not yet be obvious to you. Early detection allows for prompt management, helping to maintain your quality of vision and prevent further deterioration.

2. Tailored solutions for vision correction

One of the key benefits of regular eye exams is the opportunity for timely updates to your prescription glasses and
contact lenses. As your vision changes, which it inevitably does over time, these adjustments are crucial for maintaining optimal vision. Regular eye exams mean that you have the best prescription for your glasses or contact lenses.

3. Early detection of eye conditions and diseases

Identifying and assessing eye conditions at an early stage through routine eye examinations is crucial for the effective management and treatment of various conditions. These examinations allow optometry professionals to detect signs of conditions that, without timely intervention, could lead to significant and irreversible vision loss. Early detection is key to managing these conditions effectively, as it can allow for timely treatment and help prevent or slow down the progression of vision loss. Below are key eye conditions that routine examinations can help prevent or mitigate:

• Glaucoma: A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, critical for good vision, and often associated with a buildup of pressure inside the eye. Early detection treatments for glaucoma lower eye pressure and prevent significant optic nerve damage.
• Macular Degeneration: A disease that causes blurring or loss of vision in the centre of the visual field, which is important for activities like reading and driving. Early intervention cannot stop this issue, but it can significantly slow its progress.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: A diabetes complication that affects the eyes, caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). Diabetic retinopathy can be managed more effectively when caught early, potentially preventing severe vision loss.
• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s lens that leads to a decrease in vision, which can develop slowly and affect one or both eyes. Cataracts are identified during routine exams, and their progression can be monitored for potential surgical removal when they significantly impact vision.
• Dry Eye Syndrome: A common condition that occurs when the tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for the eyes. Dry eye syndrome can be managed with various treatments once identified, improving comfort and preventing potential damage to the eye’s surface.

How eye exams can save lives

Did you know that many common diseases first present indicators within the eye? This means that early detection—and therefore, early intervention—is possible through a simple, routine eye exam. This reduces the risk of severe complications and emphasises the importance of regular eye exams. The following common diseases can be detected early during a routine check-up.

Diabetes

Early signs include changes in blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy. Identifying diabetes in its initial stages allows for immediate management strategies to be put in place, such as blood sugar control and lifestyle modifications.

Hypertension

Blood vessel damage in the eye may indicate high blood pressure, often without any other symptoms. Early detection of hypertension can be managed effectively through medication and lifestyle adjustments. This not only helps in preserving eye health, but also reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems, significantly enhancing life expectancy.

High cholesterol

Indicators include changes in the blood vessels of the eye or the presence of plaques in the retina. Early detection of high cholesterol through signs in the eye vessels can prompt dietary and lifestyle changes alongside medical treatment to lower cholesterol levels. This can prevent more severe cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Autoimmune disorders

Certain eye conditions, such as uveitis, can suggest an underlying autoimmune disorder. The early identification of autoimmune disorders through eye symptoms allows for timely immunosuppressive therapy, which can control inflammation and prevent tissue damage. In the long run, this can help to reduce the severity of the disorder and the risk of complications, improving the patient’s quality of life.

Thyroid diseases

Eye symptoms, such as bulging eyes or Graves’ ophthalmopathy, can indicate thyroid issues. The early, effective management of thyroid function can alleviate eye symptoms and prevent the progression to more severe conditions, such as vision loss or thyroid storm—a life-threatening state of hyperthyroidism.

The potential risks of neglecting regular eye exams

Nobody really likes going to the dentist. But you book yourself in for regular appointments because you know that checkups can prevent much larger problems later on down the track—such as an expensive crown or even an extraction.

You should treat eye exams in the same way. Regularly booking a routine eye exam can help in the early detection of various eye diseases as well as broader health issues, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, raised blood pressure, auto immune conditions, or even sleep apnoea. If these health issues are not detected early, then they can progress to a point where treatment options become more limited.

How often should you see your optometrist?

At Eyecare Plus, we recommend that adults have an eye test at least once every two years. For those over 50, an eye test should be booked at least once every year. When it comes to young children, we recommend testing them at ages 1, 3 and 5. At the very least, children should be tested before they start school. This ensures that any disadvantageous vision problems are detected before your child enters the classroom.

If you have further questions about eye tests and what to expect at an Eyecare Plus eye exam, then make sure you check out our eye test FAQ page.

Book an eye exam today with Eyecare Plus

The optometry professionals at Eyecare Plus are dedicated to providing you with the highest level of customer service. We are committed to delivering clinical excellence, which is why we offer Checkup Plus™ eye examinations. These exams generally last for 30 to 45 minutes, and will test for a range of issues, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and general physical health.

Find your local Eyecare Plus optometrist and book an eye exam today

Typically, your eye check schedule depends on two things: your overall health and your age. While advice on specific health conditions can vary, there are general guidelines for the frequency of your eye checks based on your age that we all should follow…. 

Infants

It is recommended that a child’s first eye exam should take place at six months. Children rarely report vision problems because they just assume everyone sees the same way they do.

An eye exam for an infant (up to three years of age) is different from that of adults and older children, there are a series of tests adapted to suit the age of the young patient. (The charts are different, obviously, they include shapes instead of letters or numbers).

Pre-schoolers

The second eye exam for a child should take place at age three. Getting your child’s eyes tested before school starts gives a child the best chance of success in school, sports, and their young social lives.

Vision problems can affect a child’s behavior, learning and confidence. Frequently, a child’s struggle with reading and learning is traced back to a simple inability to see the teacher’s whiteboard. In the same way, a child who struggles to see objects at distance may be excluded from sports or group activities simply because they can’t see well enough to participate. With early detection, these problems can be prevented.

School-age children

Eye Test: annually

In general, children (aged 5 to 17) who are prescribed corrective eyewear or who have been diagnosed with vision problems should have annual eye exams, especially if they wear contact lenses. 

Adults

Eye Test: once every two years

Adults (aged over 18) who wear glasses or contacts should visit their optometrist at least once every two years. Usually, your prescription will expire in this length of time, and it is important for your optometrist to perform a comprehensive eye exam for any evidence of eye diseases. Frequent eye exams can help prevent eye disease and vision degeneration, particularly if you have High blood pressure. Routine eye examination is the only way to tackle the eye.

During pregnancy is also a good time to visit your local Eyecare Plus optometrist as the fluctuations in hormone levels can lead to dry eyes, blurry or distorted vision, or spots and floaters. 

Seniors

Eye Test: annually

For seniors, annual eye checks are often the only way to identify eye problems and intervene before they get worse.

It is especially important for people aged 60 and over to schedule annual eye exams. Age brings changes to your vision and to your eyes.

People over the age of 60 are susceptible to a range of age-related eye disorders, those being:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)  is a disease that affects the back of the eyes (the macula). It develops gradually, and, if left untreated, can cause the loss of central vision. You may have a family history of AMD, but also the older you get, the more likely you are to get AMD.

In the early stages of the disease, vision is unaffected, which is why it is so important to schedule a comprehensive eye check every year.

Approximately one in seven Australians over the age of 50 have some evidence of AMD.

Cataracts

Cataracts are the clouding of the lenses of the eyes. As the cloudiness increases, it becomes more and more difficult to see at night and to drive. The risk of cataracts increases as you age – while approximately 30% of people over 50 have cataracts, almost 80% of people over 80 have them. 

During a scheduled annual eye check, the optometrist will be able to check for cataracts and discuss treatment options before vision is lost. 

It is crucial to take part in regular eye checks to avoid any eye problems and check your risk of developing eye problems in the future.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure in the eye which causes damage to the optic nerve. It’s known as ‘the sneak thief of sight’ because, in the early stages of the disease, there are no symptoms.

The only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to have a comprehensive eye exam. Your optometrists may do a visual field test which determines whether you have difficulty seeing anywhere in your overall field of vision. Eye tests are regular general health checks, they are important to our overall well being.

No matter what your age, family history or general health scheduling a routine eye examination with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist is an important part of staying looking after your eye health and staying healthy and active in order to help you live your life to the fullest.

Contact your local Eyecare Plus Optometrist today as we recommend at least a bi-annual comprehensive eye exam. Getting your eyes tested regularly is vital to your overall eye health and general health.

 

 

Usually, we only think about our tears at the end of a sad movie or when something bad has happened to someone close to us, but we are constantly making them. In fact, it is estimated that the average person produces between 56 and 113 litres of tears every year. In this article we will cover why you might develop watery eyes, the three types of tears, the symptoms, and the surprising causes of watery eyes.

All throughout the day and night, the lacrimal glands (located just the upper eyelids) produce tears that coat and nourish our eyes with every blink. These tears keep our eyes from getting dried out and inflamed and they protect our corneas from damage. Typically, the system works smoothly. But sometimes, we can get too much of a good thing. Like when we get too many tears. Watery eyes are frustrating and inconvenient. 

Three types of tears

The tear system is important, but it can create excess tears. To understand how watery eyes come about, it’s helpful to know that there are actually three different types of tears: emotional, reflexive and basal. 

Emotional tears

When we are overcome with emotion, we produce emotional tears, which are a form of stress relief. Emotional tears contain hormones, including the stress hormone adrenocorticotropic (ACTH). Crying is not just an emotional release, it helps the body get rid of this hormone, and literally pours the stress out of our bodies.

Reflexive tears

When your eyes are exposed to irritants, like smoke or chopped onions, they produce tears in response. These are reflex tears, and they well up in your eyes spontaneously. Reflex tears contain antibodies and enzymes to ward off infection and eliminate irritation. 

Basal tears

Basal tears act like a shield for your eyes. Every time you blink, these tears are spread across the surface of our eyes, constantly nourishing, protecting, and lubricating them.   

The 7 Surprising Causes of Watery Eyes

Watery eyes are a symptom of an underlying problem. Most are fairly common, but here are seven surprising reasons that can trigger watery eyes…

1. You have spent too much time on the computer

It is scientifically proven that people blink less when they are working or just relaxing in front of screens. Remember the 20-20-20 rule to relieve digital eye strain: each time you use your digital device, take a 20 second break from the screen every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away.  

2. Your contacts

If you are wearing your contact lenses for too long or if they aren’t the right fit, it could cause your eyes to overproduce tears in response. 

3. Your makeup

When eyeliner is applied between the eyelashes and the eyes, it can hit the eyeball and cause irritation, which causes tears to flush out the irritation. 

4. Sleep apnoea

Millions of people are affected by sleep apnoea, a chronic condition that interrupts breathing during sleep. Instead of the eyes staying closed throughout the night, they flop open and dry out, which causes more tear production.

5. Environmental factors

It might be too dry where you are. Your eyes are extremely sensitive organs that are constantly adjusting to changes in humidity, heat and allergens in the air, as tears wash away irritants. Chances are, you are overproducing tears because your eyes have noticed a change in your environment before you have. 

6. You have scratched your eye without knowing it

Your sensitive corneas are producing tears in response to a scratch you don’t remember. 

7. Ironically, it could be dry eye

One of the most common reasons for watery eyes is chronic dry eyes. And although patients are routinely surprised to learn their eyes are watering because they are dry, the explanation makes sense. Because of an imbalance in the tears that are being produced, your eyes get irritated, which causes the overproduction of tears to fix the problem, which continues the cycle.

If your dry eye symptoms persist, make an appointment with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist who can determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan to address it.

Symptoms of watery eyes

Simply put, the main symptom of watery eyes is excessive water in your eyes. Your eyes feel overly moist, tears pool up, or spill onto your cheeks and your vision can be blurry. 

Watery eyes is formally known as ‘epiphora,’ and it can be caused by many reasons, but usually, it comes down to a problem with your tear drainage system or overproduction. That is: either your eyes aren’t draining tears properly, or your eyes are producing too many tears. If you have insufficient tear film drainage from the eye they can overflow onto your face.

Drainage

In the inner part of the eyelids near the nose, we have tear ducts. These little openings act like storm drains for tears, the tears drain from your eyes through tiny openings (called ‘puncta’). Blocked tear ducts are the most common cause of watery eyes. 

Problems with our tear ducts is a common cause for watery eyes in older people. 

As we age, our eyelids often sag away from the eye, making it hard for tears to move through their proper path toward the drainage ducts. Then the tears just pool up in the eye and drip out instead of draining away down the tear ducts. While the condition can sometimes be addressed medically, sometimes it is just the result of getting older. 

Overproduction 

Anything that irritates the eyes can cause the production of tears. Often allergies or viral infections– like conjunctivitis (‘pink eye’) or any type of inflammation can cause watery eyes to persist for several days. In other cases, the overproduction of tears is triggered by an injury, a scratch, or debris in the eyes. 

There are also a number of surprising things that can cause your eyes to water (see our list of ‘7 Surprising Causes of Watery Eyes’ above).

Watery Eyes Treatment

Treatment of watery eyes usually involves medication, removal of irritants or unblocking the blocked tear duct. For many people, their watery eyes are a mild case of epiphora, and they get better without treatment. 

However, if watery eyes are affecting your ability to see clearly, or your eyes are painful and will not stop watering, schedule a consultation with an Eyecare Plus optometrist nearest you. 

Your local Eyecare Plus optometrist will be able to examine your condition, determine the underlying problem and offer you the best and most appropriate treatment options for your watery eyes.

Most adults have experienced the annoyance of a twitching eye. Usually, it goes away on its own after a few seconds or minutes. But sometimes – very rarely – an eyelid twitch is the sign of a more serious underlying condition.

Eyelid twitches or eyelid spasms can affect the upper or lower eyelid, but most frequently, it only affects the lower eyelid. Eyelid twitches are more common in middle-aged women, but no one knows why.

Why is my Eyelid Twitching? Blame the orbicularis oculi.

Eye twitching happens when the fine muscles of the eyelid (called the ‘orbicularis oculi’) involuntarily and repeatedly contract. The medical term for this is ‘eyelid myokymia.’

Many of the triggers of eyelid twitching are lifestyle related. Some of the known causes are…

Eye Strain

Long periods of staring at your computer screen and bright lights cause eye twitches as you hold your eyelid muscles tightly for extended periods of time. Remember the 20-20-20 rule, take a 20 second break from the screen every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away. 

You need an eye test

If your eyelids frequently twitch when you’re reading or focusing close-up, it could be a sign that you need a new prescription for your glasses. In cases like this, your eye muscles are doing extra work to provide the focus you require. This extra burden can create minor spasms of the eyelid muscles.  

Stress

The link between stress and an eyelid spasm is well known. Stress causes muscle tension, muscle spasms and micromovements from extended muscle tension. Sometimes you might even notice the stress in your facial muscles, it can appear as facial spasms or just eyelid spasms. This causes eyelid twitch.

Often others notice your eye twitches before you do because they show your stress condition to others. Although life is often stressful, and hard to get away from, it’s important to do what you can to treat the underlying cause. Activities such as exercise, yoga or hobbies are often recommended as good ways to lower tension and stress. 

Lack of sleep

The eyelids are the most sensitive muscles in the body, especially the upper eyelid, so even small imbalances can disrupt them. When you don’t get an adequate amount of sleep, your eyes feel tired and the muscles will twitch.

Dry eyes

Irritated, gritty, dry eye conditions that create eye irritation can contribute to eyelid twitching. Dry eye lubricants are often prescribed to moisturise the eyes which will, in turn, relax the eyelid muscles and stop the twitching.

Caffeine

The most commonly used drug in the world, caffeine, can increase your heart rate and elevate your metabolism. Caffeine can also trigger your facial nerve, especially the upper eyelids causing our eyes to twitch. Your sensitive eyelid muscles are much more susceptible to the effects of caffeine than most other muscles in the body. If you find your eyelids twitching frequently after use of caffeine, lower the amount and frequency.  

Drugs or medications

Some medications can cause eye twitching and eyelid spasms or minor eyelid twitches. If you are concerned that a drug you have been prescribed causes eye twitching, ask your health care provider about the ocular side effects.

Like any other changes to your body, it is helpful to keep track of when your eyelids are twitching, always check for minor eye twitches and to make a point of noticing any of the contributing factors. 

This could potentially help when speaking with your eye care professional to see if they can determine a pattern which can provide the key to alleviating the problem. 

More serious conditions

It is worth repeating – usually, (almost always), eye twitching is temporary and nothing to worry about. In fact, worrying about it can exacerbate the frequency of it.

However, when eye twitching is persistent, lasts longer than a week, a visit to your local Eyecare Plus optometrist is recommended.

Your Eyecare Plus optometrist will be able to differentiate the eye twitch from more serious conditions that could require further treatment.

First off, what is a cataract?

Right behind the pupil in your eyes is one of the most important parts of your eye’s anatomy: the lenses.

Made up of water and proteins, these lenses bend and focus light to create sharp images. Your ability to see depends on these lenses being transparent and flexible.

As we age however, the protein in these lenses slowly begins to get stiff and coagulate. This makes the lenses cloudy, like you are looking through a frosty windowpane. That is what a cataract is.

Cataracts can happen in one or both eyes, but they don’t spread from one eye to the other. By the age of 80, most people either have cataracts or have had surgery for cataracts.

Symptoms

At first, you might not know you have cataracts. Over time, however, your vision gets dull, blurry, hazy, or less colourful. It becomes harder to see – and drive – at night. Cataracts don’t hurt, but they can cause discomfort because your eyes are more sensitive to light.

The good news is, vision correcting cataract surgery is one of the most common and safe procedures performed in Australia.

If you are looking out for cataracts, there are things you can do that will slow down their development.

Sunglasses for you and your children

The easiest, most inexpensive cataract-prevention method is – wear UV-blocking sunglasses.

Eye cataracts develop slowly and cumulatively, and, because of that, it is important to remember that the hours, weeks and years of unprotected exposure to UV rays of the sun add up.

When outdoors, be SunSmart: wear a hat, and slide on some UV-blocking sunglasses, like the ones you will find at Eyecare Plus locations.

Statistically, children get more UV exposure than adults. And because their eyes are still maturing, they are less effective than adult eyes at filtering out harmful effects of UV rays. Choose a pair of durable, comfortable sunglasses for your children and make wearing them a part of their routine. Then, set a good example by consistently wearing sunglasses yourself.

Self-care and cataracts

No matter what your age, there are definitely ways to prevent cataracts and slow the progression of cataracts.

Optometrists and doctors agree, what’s good for the body is good for the eyes. In other words, to keep your ability to focus, keep the focus on your overall health.

• Eat healthy.

Eat plenty of fruit and green leafy vegetables – especially spinach and broccoli.

• Stay fit.

There is a link between obesity and eye disease. If you are carrying too many extra kilos, the body’s immune system can get overwhelmed, which can harm lens proteins. Just 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise can make a difference.

• Don’t smoke.

Smoking doubles your risk of developing a cataract at an earlier age, and, the more you smoke, the greater the risk.

Get regular eye check up

Too many people wait too long between eye checks. Because cataracts grow slowly, it is hard to notice any changes in your vision. All adults should get an eye exam once every two years until age 65, and every year after that.

Your Eyecare Plus optometrist will use a slit lamp microscope to examine your lenses and catch a developing cataract early. In the early stages of cataract, the lost eyesight can be helped with eyeglasses, magnifiers and stronger light.

Like the rest of your body, your eyes lenses change as you age. Although we can’t slow down time, everyone has the ability to make choices necessary to minimize the impact and delay the onset of cataracts.