Eye Health FAQs

Glaucoma is not just one thing; it is a group of things that damage the optic nerve – the communication cable that runs from the back of the eye to the brain. The loss of sight from having glaucoma is gradual and irreversible. There is no cure for glaucoma, but what is important to know, is that early treatment can preserve the vision you have and prevent further vision loss.

There are many causes for watery eyes, but the easy answer is: too many tears, or not enough drainage.

If your eyes are irritated, the tear glands overproduce tears, which makes your eyes watery. In the corner of your eyes are tear ducts which drain away tears, like rain gutters. If the tear ducts get blocked, your eyes get watery.

Glaucoma. It’s estimated that 50% of those who currently have it think they have healthy eyes. Left untreated, glaucoma can cause total blindness. 

Diabetic retinopathy. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely it is that they will get diabetic retinopathy. In the early stages, there are often no symptoms; only an eyecare specialist can detect the damage before it progresses. It can lead to total blindness.

Myopia (short-sightedness). Myopia will affect half the global population by 2050. Many of our behaviours (like spending too much time indoors, excessive screen time) make myopia worse. It is the leading cause of vision impairment in children.

Macular Disease. The term ‘macular disease’ comprises a range of conditions, including macular degeneration, that affect the central retina (the ‘macula’) at the back of the eye. It is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in the world. There is no cure, but treatments can slow it down.

Ocular migraines are the most common cause of short-term, partial vision loss. It is also associated with concussions and head injuries. More rarely, damage to the retina (the wall on the back of your eye) can cause of vision loss.

Dry eye can be generalised as a problem with quality or quantity of tears.  Either a person’s eyes aren’t producing enough tears, or the quality of the tears is inadequate. The reasons why differ from patient to patient and require tailored care. If left untreated, chronic dry eye can cause severe pain and damage the surface of your corneas.

Remember the 20-20-20 rule. Take a break from your digital screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes and stare at something 20 feet away.   

Book an eye exam every two years with your Eyecare Plus optometrist.

Presbyopia is treated by an optometrist conducting a vision test and prescribing glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision.

As we get older, the potential for eye diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy grows. Therefore, it is recommended that people over 50 see an optometrist annually.

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic degeneration of the macula, the centre part of the back of the eyes. While a person with AMD still has peripheral vision, they cannot see things right in front of them.

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. It is caused by a blockage of the blood vessels that nourish the back of the eye (the ‘retina.’)

Pink eye is also called ‘conjunctivitis.’ It is an infection that causes redness in the white part of the eye.

The tiny black spots are floaters – they are harmless dark specks or strings that drift about your eyes. However, if there is a sudden increase of them in one or both eyes, see your local optometrist immediately for an eye check up near you.