Topic: Eye Health & Conditions

What are Spots and Floaters?

All optometrists know what those little squiggly lines are that glide and coast around your field of vision. They are called ‘vitreous floaters’, ‘eye floaters’ or just ‘floaters’.

If you have just discovered new floaters you will notice that they can look like black or gray strings or cobwebs. Usually, they jump away when you try to look at them directly. 

You usually notice floaters when looking at a blank wall or a blue sky. Once you start seeing floaters in your vision, it is hard to ignore them.

Are eye floaters normal?

Floaters aren’t a sign that your vision is going bad. Many people with excellent vision experience floaters. While floaters may be kind of annoying, they are very common, and they are usually harmless. 

What should you know about floaters?

Although floaters look like they are in front of your eye, they’re actually inside your eye.

Your eye is filled with a clear gel called ‘vitreous.’ It is mostly water, but it contains a protein called collagen. Vitreous helps your eye maintain its round shape – kind of like a little balloon filled with water takes on a ball shape.

The vitreous gel becomes more watery as we age. As this happens, bits of collagen in the vitreous can clump together and form irregular, little lint-like structures. 

When these clumps float past your macula (the centre of your retina), they cast shadows. It’s the shadows that we perceive as floaters.

Who is at risk of floaters?

Anyone can get floaters, but they are more common in people over 40. 

What causes eye floaters?

You may be more likely to develop floaters if you are near-sighted or have diabetic retinopathy. Floaters can also form if you have had a serious injury to your eye or cataract surgery complications.

How can I get rid of eye floaters?

The internet is awash with eye drops, medications, and vitamins that promise to eliminate floaters. They don’t work.

Your best option is to maintain a healthy diet for eyes; foods rich with omega-3 fatty acids, including fish, nuts and seeds and plant oils.

Water is important. 

Floaters form because of toxin build up, and drinking more water makes your flushes out the toxins, and makes your body feel better.

What is the difference between floaters and flashes?

Noticing a few floaters from time to time is nothing to worry about. Floaters themselves aren’t dangerous. 

If however, you see a sudden shower of floaters and spots, especially if they come with flashes of light, you should seek medical attention immediately. These flashes could be symptoms of a vitreous detachment or a retinal detachment.

What happens if I have a vitreous detachment?

A vitreous detachment is when an entire section of the vitreous detaches from the retina. 

If the vitreous detaches from the retina forcefully, it causes a torn retina, or retinal detachment, which is when all or part of the retina peels away from the back of the eye.

It’s important that you contact your GP, optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you experience symptoms like this. 

Without surgery, a detachment can cause complete and permanent loss of vision.

Is there a surgical treatment for floaters?

Most floaters are harmless, but there are surgical treatments available for people who are contending with large and persistent floaters. 

These eye surgeries are performed by ophthalmologists and are reserved  for severe symptoms of floaters. 

When should I consult an optometrist?

With time, most floaters will move out of your field of vision and become less annoying. 

If the floaters don’t fade away naturally or if there is a sudden increase of floaters in your vision, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light, see an optometrist immediately.

What is a Pterygium?

A pterygium (tur-RIJ-ee-uhm) or ‘surfer’s eye’, is a growth of degenerative tissue on the white of the eye (sclera), usually on the nasal side, that could extend onto the cornea.

Although it is commonly known as ‘surfer’s eye’, surfers are not the only group of people at risk of getting it. In fact, about one in every 100 Australians develops a pterygium at some time in their life.

It may look out of the ordinary, cause vision problems, cause irritation and redness, but a pterygium is benign and treatable.

Causes of pterygium

Pterygia (plural) growths are the body’s way of trying to protect the eye from intense environments, such as high levels of ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, dust, sand or windy locations. 

Risk factors

Surfers are more at risk of pterygium as they are in the sun for long periods of time, as are other at-risk groups including farmers, welders and those who work long hours outside.

Location

Australians who spent their early childhood in the northern parts of the country were found to have a higher risk of developing a pterygium than those who grew up further south. In addition, people who live in rural environments are approximately five times more likely to develop pterygium than those who live in urban areas. 

Gender and age

A pterygium is twice as likely to occur in men than in women. The risk also increases with age. Approximately 12% of men over 60 in Australia have a pterygium.

What to expect at the optometrist

Diagnosis of a pterygium is usually straightforward. Your eye doctor (optometrist) will provide you with a complete eye exam to ensure the diagnosis is thorough and to eliminate the possibility that it might be anything else. 

Using a device called a slit lamp, your optometrist will magnify and light your eye to examine the pterygium in much closer detail. Other tests include a visual acuity test (with an eye chart), corneal imaging (using a corneal topographer to see the curvature of your cornea) and photo documentation. All tests are painless and non invasive.

Pterygium treatment

Treatment of a pterygium often involves the use of eye drops to manage symptoms, such as inflammation, mild pain, itching or a feeling of having grit in the eye. For minor irritation, lubricated eye drops or ointments will be prescribed to soothe the cornea. These medications only ease the symptoms and are not a cure.

Pterygium removal

If the growth is significant and continues to spread across the cornea or threatens to affect vision, surgical removal of the pterygium is usually recommended.

Surgical removal

In the case of pterygium surgery when a pterygium has to be surgically removed, the patient will be referred to a pterygium specialist or an ophthalmologist. Pterygium removal surgery is minimally-invasive and usually takes no more than 30 minutes.

Prevention

The best way to reduce your risk of developing a pterygium, to slow the progression of an existing pterygium, or to stop a pterygium recurrence, is to protect your eyes from UV light.

Sunglasses

When you spend time outdoors, to protect your eyes from the damaging effects of UV rays, wear sunglasses that block 90 to 100% of ultraviolet light even on cloudy, on overcast days and when you are in the car for greater eye protection. 

Sunglasses, including wraparound sunglasses, can protect you from bright sunlight and also protection from irritants, like sand, dust, or wind.

Wear a hat

A sun hat or wide brimmed hat will not only protect your head from sunburn but they can reduce the amount of UV radiation reaching your eyes by 50%.

Eye drops

When you are in very dry, windy, or dusty areas, use over-the-counter eye drops to keep your eyes properly lubricated.

Parents should ensure that their children are wearing hats and sunglasses as well. These measures should be a part of every outing to the park or beach. 

What Pterygium is not

It is important to understand that pterygium is non cancerous; it is a localised disturbance on the surface of the eye. Although benign, pterygium should always be checked by your local optometrist.

Pterygium is not a cataract. They are completely different conditions. A pterygium grows on the surface of the eye. A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye.

If you have any area of tissue on or around the eyes that changes rapidly or that you have not had checked previously you should make an appointment with your local optometrist.

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is the normal loss of near-focusing ability that occurs with age. It is a common eye condition and part of the ageing process. Everyone gets presbyopia as they get older; it is as familiar as grey hair. 

The word presbyopia itself simply means ‘old eyes.’ (from the Greek roots presbys for ‘elderly’ and opia for ‘eyes’).

Typically, presbyopia begins around the age of 40 and gradually progresses until around age 65, when it plateaus. Presbyopia is not a disease. It can be corrected with glasses, contacts or vision surgery.

 

What are the causes of presbyopia?

Your ability to create images relies on the lenses, little M&M-shaped structures that sit just inside your eye, behind the transparent dome called the cornea. Lenses are clear and are held in place by ciliary muscles. When light enters the eye, the lenses will bend and focus it directly on the retinas, which is how clear images are produced.

With the help of the ciliary muscles, the lenses constrict to see things close up and relax to see things far away. The lenses’ ability to shift between focusing on near-objects and far-objects is called ‘accomodation.’

All of this happens unconsciously. For example, if you are watching a TV at the end of the room, the lenses in your eyes will focus in the distance, because the light is relatively far away. If you pick up your phone in the middle of your show to read a message, the lenses in your eyes will constrict to accommodate the words on the phone. 

As we age, the lenses lose their elasticity and begin to harden. As they lose their flexibility, they can no longer change shape to focus on close-up things, which appear blurry.

 

What are the symptoms of presbyopia?

Presbyopia develops gradually, and it usually becomes noticeable in your early to mid-40s. As you become presbyopic, you’ll begin to hold your smartphone and other reading material farther from your eyes to see them more clearly. By the time you need to hold your phone at arm’s length, you have presbyopia.

Often people with presbyopia will also find that they need brighter light to see print well. (For example: they’ll use the flashlight on their phones to read menus in dimly-lit restaurants). Others report headaches, fatigue and eye strain when reading or doing fine, detailed work.

 

What will the eye doctor do?

Your eye doctor (optometrist) can diagnose presbyopia as part of a comprehensive eye exam. In addition to checking for other eye problems, he or she will determine your degree of presbyopia by using a standard vision test during the eye exam.

 

When should you see your eye doctor?

Although presbyopia can not be cured, presbyopia can be treated. Corrected prescribed glasses or contact lenses will make seeing clearly up close much easier. As the lens in your eye continues to lose flexibility, you may need to change your prescription every few years.

 

What about those reading glasses at the pharmacist?

You will often find magnifying glasses or ‘readers’ available at most pharmacies or retail shops. While they are perfectly safe and can be handy for temporary use (if you have lost your glasses or left them at home on your way to your favourite dimly-lit restaurant). However, they are, overall, a one-size-fits-all product, and do not take into account your specific vision needs.

 

What are the benefits of prescription lenses?

Your local optometrist will diagnose your condition, and offer different types of prescription lenses, including bifocals, trifocals and progressive lenses. These lenses are only available from an optometrist.

When prescribing lenses, your optometrist will consider factors that are unique about your vision. They will take into consideration a number of factors such as the position of your eyes; the angle and position of your chosen frame; your usual reading distance; and the distance between your pupils. All of which make prescription glasses unique and beneficial for the wearer. 

To find out more about presbyopia contact your local Eyecare Plus optometrist.

What is eye misalignment?

Eye misalignment problems are commonly found in children, usually caused by an inability of the eyes to work together. Each one of our eyes views objects at a slightly different angle. When they are aligned and healthy, the eyes work in sync to provide clear, single vision. This is called ‘binocular vision.’ 

There are many different types of eye alignment problems:

• Phoria: a person’s eyes are sometimes in misalignment
• Tropia: a person’s eyes are always in misalignment 
• Strabismus (or cross-eyes): when a person’s eyes are not aligned with each other, and both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time. Strabismus can be large or small; it can also be constant or intermittent. 

 

What is the difference between phoria and tropia?

If an eye doctor (optometrist) examines a patient who has eye strain and sees double only when the eye muscles are tired, or at the end of the day, this person probably has a phoria. 

Phoria is a normal, temporary eye condition that won’t disrupt everyday life. It is a misalignment of the eyes that can occur when we are tired. Phorias is the result of a deviation in binocular vision,eyes are not able to look at an object at the same time.  

Tropia is a very different eye health condition to phoria. 

A patient with tropia has one eye turned in and crossed, and the eye never straightens. For people with tropia, the brain gets used to only relying on one eye, and ignores the images from the misaligned eye. 

If the misalignment won’t correct itself, the result can be amblyopia or ‘lazy eye.’ The stronger eye will need to work harder, and the eye which is used less ‘tunes out.’ 

Many people mistakenly think that a person who has a crossed or turned eye (strabismus) has a ‘lazy-eye,’ but lazy-eye (amblyopia) is a type of poor vision in one eye only. Strabismus and amblyopia are not the same condition, amblyopia usually develops as a result of strabismus. 

 

What are the symptoms of strabismus?

Although symptoms are difficult to spot, usually, someone with strabismus will have the following symptoms:

• Crossed eyes
• Experience frequent double vision
• Trouble with reading
• Motion sickness
• Headaches 

 

What should you expect during your eye exam?

As part of a normal vision screening, your Eyecare Plus optometrist will look for signs of strabismus or amblyopia. All children, ages three to five, should have their vision checked, but babies and children with strabismus should be checked right away to prevent amblyopia. 

Prescribed glasses are usually adequate enough to treat strabismus in children. Sometimes a child will be given a patch to wear over the straight eye for a few hours each day. This trains the weaker eye to get stronger. If the child won’t or can’t wear a patch, atropine eye drops might be prescribed. Working on the same principle as the eye patch, atropine temporarily blurs the vision in the strong eye and makes the weaker eye work harder and get stronger. If the case of strabismus has developed into amblyopia, further treatment is required.
 

Why do babies’ appear to have crossed eyes? 

Often before their facial features are fully developed, babies give the false appearance that their eyes are misaligned or they have crossed eyes. Parents of very young babies are often alarmed when one or both or their eyes appear misaligned or crossed. This is called ‘pseudostrabismus’ or ‘false strabismus’. 

The crossed eye appearance on a baby’s face is because there is less space (the white area) between the coloured part of the eye (iris) and the corner of the eye toward the nose. This is especially noticeable in pictures. As a baby grows, these features usually change and the appearance of crossed eyes goes away. 

Pseudostrabismus is common in babies from birth to about 18 months old. A clinical diagnosis of pseudostrabismus is reached after ruling out the presence of actual strabismus. While pseudostrabismus can be outgrown and does not require treatment, strabismus does not go away on its own without treatment.

To find out more about eye misalignment contact your local Eyecare Plus optometrist.

What is Myopia?

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is an  eye condition in which near objects are seen more clearly than objects that are far away.

People with myopia have poor distance vision. Myopia is also known as ‘near-sightedness’ or ‘short-sightedness’ because people with myopia can still see things clearly that are up close. Myopia is most commonly found in children, but adults can have it as well.

Myopia tends to first develop during adolescence as the eye grows to full adult size. Although Myopia can be hereditary (passed from parent to child), it is not like the colour of the eyes, which is reliably determined by genetic traits. Instead, many environmental factors play a role in the development and the rate of progression of myopia. 

In recent years, the prevalence of myopia has grown at an alarming rate. If current trends continue, by the year 2050, roughly half the people on the planet (5 billion people) will be myopic.

Myopia affects approximately 15 percent of the population. It is the most common vision impairment in the world for people under the age of 40.

 

What is the cause of myopia?

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too quickly in childhood, or when it starts growing again in adulthood. A person experiences myopia when the eyeball is too long, and the cornea (the clear outer layer at the front of the eye) is too steep, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of on it, which results in blurry images.

Research suggests that genetics, environment, ethnicity and individual behaviour are all factors behind the development of myopia.

Although myopia usually stops getting worse around 20 years of age, the condition in children tends to get worse as they grow. Generally, the younger a child is when they first develop myopia, the faster their vision will deteriorate, and the more severe it is in adulthood.

While glasses or contact lenses can correct a child’s vision, research shows that severe myopia can place a child at risk of a number of eye problems later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

 

What are the symptoms of myopia?

The main symptom of myopia is blurred distance vision. Short-sighted people often report difficulty distinguishing details on road signs and scoreboards.

Another common symptom is squinting the eyelids together in an attempt to see clearer. This works by narrowing the aperture they are looking through and therefore reducing the size of the blur circle on the retina inside the eye.

Myopia is corrected with either contact lenses or spectacles. Since these lenses are thickest at the edge, new spectacle lens technologies have been developed to produce thinner and lighter lenses.

Myopia can be the reason behind learning problems in children – especially young children, who are having difficulty seeing, but are unaware that they have a problem. Parents can be on the lookout for signs that their child has myopia:

• Does your child have difficulty seeing the whiteboard at school?
• Do they regularly rub their eyes?
• Do they sit too close to the TV?
• Do they complain of headaches or tired eyes?

If you have concerns about your child’s vision, book an eye test with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist who will be able to shed some light on your child’s eye condition and treatment.

 

What is the best myopia treatment?

Usually, myopia is corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Adults may consider laser surgery of the cornea, but that is not recommended for children. Other treatments include atropine eye drops, which slow the progression of myopia, or specially-designed orthokeratology contact lenses for overnight wear.

 

What are the benefits of green time?

A number of studies have shown that when children spend more than two hours a day outdoors, the risk of myopia is reduced. That holds true even when both parents have myopia and even when the children continue to do near-work. 

According to one Australian study, the total time spent just being outdoors is the important factor. Scientists suggest that the brighter light outdoors stimulates the release of dopamine from the retina, which controls the growth of the eye. 

 

What is the impact of screen time during lockdown?

As consensus builds, healthcare professionals have become increasingly concerned about the impact of lockdowns and home-learning on children in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To counter the effects of prolonged ‘screen time’, children (and their parents) should do a screen time self assessment and devote a portion of their day to ‘green time,’ that is: time spent outdoors, engaging with nature. 

While green time is not a direct cure for myopia, it can provide a helpful balance for the developing child. By increasing time outdoors you will reduce time on your digital devices – and promote healthy lifestyle habits. 

Contact your local Eyecare Plus optometrist to discuss the most suitable treatment for myopia.

What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

Most people suffering with dry eyes have Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (also called ‘tarsal glands’).

 

Meibomian gland dysfunction is caused by a blockage in your eye’s meibomian glands.

Meibomian gland function is very important to the health of your eye. 

There are about 25 to 40 meibomian glands in the upper eyelid and 20 to 30 in the lower eyelid that secrete oils onto the surface of the eye.

The meibomian glands are tiny but important.  They produce ‘meibum,’ an essential oily substance that mixes with the water in your tear film.

These oils keep the tear film lipid layer from evaporating. Meibomian gland secretions occur when the meibomian glands are blocked and can’t get the oil out, the quality of your tears goes down and your eyes dry out.

 

Science shows that 86% of patients diagnosed with dry eye also exhibit symptoms of human meibomian gland dysfunction.

Meibomian gland dysfunction needs to be treated. If left untreated, human meibomian gland secretions will stop secreting oil permanently changing your tears and leading to inflammation and chronic dry eye.

Symptoms of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

In the early stages of symptomatic meibomian gland dysfunction – even if the meibomian glands are impaired, there might not be any symptoms.

But as the disease progresses, the quality of tear film on the surface of the eye drops, leading to discomfort. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• dry eye
• eye fatigue
• eye discharge
• gritty or sticky sensation on the eyelids
• irritation
• blurred vision

Often, the oil gland openings get plugged-up with thicker secretions so that less oil comes out of the glands. The oil that does make it out of the glands can be granular (crusty) or otherwise abnormal, and can cause irritation. Chronically clogged glands eventually become unable to secrete oil, which results in permanent changes in the tear film and dry eyes.

Who is at risk?

If you are aware of some of the risks of developing any form of meibomian gland secretion, you can take earlier steps to help manage your eye health.

The known risk factors that can contribute to meibomian gland disease are:

Age

The older you get, the more likely you are to get dry eyes. People aged 40 and above have significantly higher MGD risk factors.

Cosmetics

Sleeping in eye makeup, improperly applying, or removing eye makeup often clogs meibomian glands. Makeup can cause meibomian gland obstruction covering the openings of the meibomian glands causing them to become inflamed.

Ethnicity

Meibomian gland dysfunction is higher in Asian populations. Research has shown up to 69% of Asian people have MGD. By comparison, up to 20% of Caucasians in Australia have MGD.

Digital devices 

It is well known that people blink less when using digital devices. 

Lack of regular blinking leads to stagnant oils and damage to the meibomian gland anatomy.

What to expect at the optometrist

The first thing your optometrist will want to do is distinguish between meibomian gland dysfunction and other possible causes of dry eye disease.

To properly diagnose meibomian gland dysfunction your optometrist will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. Your optometrist will physically examine your eyelids and run a tear-breakup-time test. They may do further imaging with a meibographer, a device that takes pictures of the surface of your eyes and your eyelids. All these procedures are painless and noninvasive.

Treatment of MGD

Based on the results of your examination, the optometrist will tailor a treatment plan to best manage your condition. Mostly, the goal of the treatment is to unclog the openings of the meibomian glands, and to keep them unclogged.

People who wear contact lenses and discover that they have MGD, can continue with their contact lens wear if they are proactive in the management and treatment of MGD.

Consult with an optometrist

Only an optometrist can determine if you have meibomian gland dysfunction and provide the treatment you require. If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of MGD, book an appointment with an Eyecare Plus optometrist.

What is the Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a common eye condition, usually related to ageing, and often called ‘age-related macular degeneration’ or ‘AMD.’ 

About one in seven (1.4 million) Australians over the age of 50 years have some evidence of age-related macular degeneration AMD.

 

What is the macula?

The macula is a light-sensitive layer of tissue at the centre of the retina, which is at the back of your eye. The macula is responsible for most of our colour vision as well as our detailed central vision.

When we look at something directly, light is focused onto our macula, where millions of cells change the light into nerve signals that tell the brain what our eye is seeing. This is called ‘central vision’. If the macula degenerates, blind-spots and blurred or distorted central vision occurs. Often, peripheral vision is preserved because the surrounding retina can still be used, but it is not as sensitive as the macula.

 

What are the stages of AMD?

Macular degeneration is classified into three stages: early AMD, intermediate AMD and late AMD. 

Late AMD is further divided into two classifications: neovascular, sometimes called wet macular degeneration (wet AMD) and atrophic, sometimes called dry macular degeneration (dry AMD).

In the early stages of having AMD, macular degeneration does not affect vision, but as it progresses, people experience wavy or blurred vision. 

The early and intermediate stages of AMD are the best times to detect the disease. If AMD continues to worsen, there may be central vision loss, and often the ability to drive, to see faces, and to read small print is lost.

 

Will there be vision changes?

People with vision loss from age-related macular degeneration look fine. Their eyes appear to be just like they always were; because their peripheral vision is preserved, they can walk around with little or no difficulty. The late-stage ability to see peripherally, but not to see the very thing in front of you is confusing to others.

We tend to think of people as either ‘blind’ or ‘not blind.’ People with vision loss from age-related macular degeneration are better understood to ‘have low vision.’ At the late stage, people with AMD are considered ‘legally blind,’ although they still have some peripheral vision.

 

What are the risk factors of AMD?

Some of the risk factors for AMD are out of our control. Age: the older you get, the more likely you are to get AMD. Genetics: a family history of AMD means you are more likely to get it as well. There are some factors that are under our control, these are called ‘modifiable’. These are things like diet, frequently exposing our eyes to sunlight without eye protection, obesity and, most of all, smoking.

 

Does smoking impact my eyes?

Even the most dedicated smokers are aware that the habit is bad for their lungs, but few realise the impact smoking has on their eyes. The truth is, smoking is the strongest modifiable risk factor for AMD. Smoking at least doubles the risk of AMD. Even more, studies show that there is a direct correlation between the number of cigarettes a person has smoked during their life and their risk of late stage AMD.

 

What will the eye doctor do?

If you are 50 years or older, you should have an eye examination once every two years. Those over 65 should have eye exams annually.

Your optometrist will use an eye drop to dilate your pupil then use a special lens to examine your retina or macula. Your optometrist may ask you to look at an Amsler grid. This grid helps you notice any blurry, distorted or blank spots in your field of vision.

They may also take a digital photograph or take an optical coherence tomography scan of your macula (OCT), for comparison at your next eye exam.

Depending on your condition, your Eyecare Plus optometrist may refer you to an ophthalmologist for further examination, or request follow up visits so they can monitor your condition.

 

What are the treatment options?

There is no cure for AMD, and although there are treatments that can slow progression of the disease, once the vision is lost, it can’t be returned. Early detection, along with healthy lifestyle choices are still the best option for lowering your risk of AMD.

 

For more information

To learn more about how to care for your macula, speak with your local eye doctor (optometrist). 

Your Eyecare Plus optometrist will provide you with eye health information, speak with you about the types of age related macular degeneration and how macular degeneration affects you long term.

Two other helpful organisations are the Macular Disease Foundation and Vision Australia.

The Macular Disease Foundation Australia is the national organisation that represents the interests of Australians living with, or at risk of, macular disease. It is an independent, patient-centred and trustworthy source of information.

Vision Australia provides low vision services and support to people who are blind or have low vision live the life they want.

What is Hyperopia?

Hyperopia, also called long-sightedness or far-sightedness, is the most common eye condition in Australia. Long-sighted people can see distant objects clearly, but close objects are difficult to see.

Close up objects

People with far-sightedness, who struggle to see nearby objects, are usually born with it, and it tends to run in families.

The condition can easily be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Surgery is also a treatment option.

It is important to not confuse hyperopia with presbyopia which affects people as they age. Presbyopia has similar symptoms as hyperopia but doesn’t appear until people are in their 40s.

Causes of hyperopia

The size and shape of the eye largely causes far-sightedness. Your eye is about the size of a ping pong ball. At the front is a clear dome called the cornea. 

The cornea is like clear glass, providing a small window to view the world through. Just on the inside of your eye is the lens, also clear, and about the size of an M&M.

When light goes into the eye, the lens works like a movie projector and focuses light rays on the back of the eye (the retina). 

The retina changes it into nerve signals so the brain can understand what you are seeing. This process is called ‘refraction.’

If you have normal vision, the rays of light are brought into focus right on the retina. However, if you are long-sighted, the cornea is not sufficiently curved or the eye is too short, so the light rays from close objects focus behind, rather than on, the retina – making things appear blurry.

Symptoms of hyperopia

The most common symptoms of far-sightedness are:

• Trouble seeing things up close 
• Squinting, blinking and frequent eye-rubbing
• Eye strain (tired or sore or sore eyes)
• Headaches – especially when reading

Often, young children don’t realise they have poor vision, so a child might not say that they cannot see well. 

Parents should be particularly attentive to certain symptoms – which are not usually associated with vision – such as underachievement at school or disinterest/frustration with books and reading.

What to expect at the optometrist

A diagnosis of hyperopia (far-sightedness) can be made with a routine eye exam by your eye doctor (optometrist). 

Your eye doctor will ask some questions about your eyesight to determine whether you have hyperopia. They will perform an eye test and do an investigation using equipment such as a retinoscope and a slit lamp.

The retinoscope is a hand-held device used to shine a light into the eye and observe the reflection of light off the retina. 

The slit lamp is a special microscope that gives the optometrist a more detailed view of the structures at the front and inside the eye. 

These exams are painless and cause no discomfort or pain to the patient. 

Following these procedures, the optometrist will be able to diagnose hyperopia, rule out any other conditions and discuss management and treatment options. 

Hyperopia treatment

The most common treatment for hyperopia is glasses with corrective lenses, especially for reading and other near work. 

Glasses treat far-sightedness by making up for the decreased curvature of your cornea or the smaller size (length) of your eye.

Another option for treating far-sightedness is refractive surgery, which corrects the condition by reshaping the curvature of your cornea. However, an eye specialist will likely advise their patients to wait until adulthood for laser eye surgery.

Just like many other organs in the body, a child’s eyes continually change shape and adjust as they grow – even in their teens. 

A child who underwent laser eye surgery may experience a temporary improvement in their vision after the procedure but, as their eyes continue to change, this improvement would be lost, and they would need further corrective surgery in the future. 

Adults have lenses that have fully matured, which is why it may be suitable for them, but not recommended for children. 

Eye examination

Because children often don’t know they have vision problems or that something is wrong with their vision, it’s recommended that all children should have an eye examination before starting school.

An examination of your child’s eyes by a pediatrician or a family GP is not a substitute for an eye exam performed by an optometrist. 

Only optometrists have the training and clinical tools to perform a thorough evaluation of your child’s eyes and vision.

Contact your local Eyecare Plus optometrist to arrange a comprehensive eye test.

It is important to have a regular eye exam. The earlier an eye condition can be identified, the better the child will be set up for a fulfilling educational experience at school.

What is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease can be temporary or chronic. It is caused by a lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye.

Dry eye disease affects millions of people world-wide and is one of the most common reasons that people seek eye care. There are two basic types of dry eye. When the tear glands aren’t producing enough tears, it’s classified as ‘aqueous deficiency’ dry eye. When the tears that are being produced just aren’t doing their job, it’s called ‘evaporative dry eye.’

Mild dry eye disease can be relieved with artificial tear treatments, but people who have a more severe form of dry eye disease require more extensive treatments.

 

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

Having dry eyes can be uncomfortable, and most people experience dry eyes from time to time. If you are experiencing prolonged symptoms of dry eyes, you should visit an optometrist. They can examine your eyes, diagnose and assess your condition, initiate treatment or refer you to a specialist.  

Dry eye symptoms include:

• Burning or itchy eyes
• Grittiness
• Fatigued eyes
• Eyes that are red and sore
• Photophobia (light sensitivity)
• Blurred vision
• Watery eyes

 

What are the causes of dry eye disease?

Dry eye disease is commonly referred to as a ‘multifactorial disease,’ which means that there are different factors that can cause it or increase your chances of getting it.

Age

Dry eyes are common in people older than 50 because our production of tears diminishes as we age.

Blink rate

Normally, we blink about 15 to 20 times a minute. Each blink lubricates the eyeballs with a tear film that keeps the surface of the eyes from getting dry and irritated. But when we’re focusing on a task that requires concentration, such as reading, computer work or just staring at our phone, we tend to blink less than half as often. That’s why it’s common for people to have dry, irritated eyes at the end of the work day.

Environment

Seasonal allergies can contribute to dry eyes. Smoky, windy and dry climates can increase dry eye symptoms.

Gender

Twice as many women as men suffer from dry eye disease. They also tend to report much more severe symptoms. Put simply, if you’re a woman, you’re more likely to get dry eyes, especially as you get older. When the levels of estrogen and other hormones fluctuate, tear quality and production are affected – this is especially common during and after pregnancy and during and after menopause. 

Medications

Some medicines, like antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants, can reduce tear production.

Screen Time

Long periods of time looking at a digital screen without taking a break every 20 minutes, to look in the distance for 20 seconds at a time, can result in insufficient blinking which can result in dry eye.

Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery may temporarily cause dry eye symptoms.

Medical conditions

People with autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or Sjögren syndrome, are more likely to have dry eye disease. Other health conditions, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, scleroderma or vitamin A deficiency can be contributing factors as well. 

 

What should you expect when you see your optometrist?

If your eyes are dry, red, or painful, especially over a long period of time, you should visit an optometrist. Your Eyecare Plus optometrist will examine your eyelids and the surface of your eyes, they will also check how you blink. Other tests include measurements of your production of tears and the tear quality.  

 

How do you treat dry eye disease?

Your optometrist will determine the type and severity of your dry eye and develop a specific management plan to appropriately address your unique condition.

There are a range of dry eye treatments including:

Artificial eye drops

Artificial lubricating drops can often provide short-term relief along with the application of a warm compress to help loosen any blockages in the oil glands in your eyelids.

Blephasteam 

A blephasteam is an eyelid-warming device which uses moisture and heat to treat meibomian gland dysfunction. The treatment sessions are short and work well for most people with meibomian gland dysfunction.

Intense Regulated Pulsed Light

Intense Regulated Pulsed Light (IRPL) can provide long-term relief. It is a non-invasive treatment which stimulates the secretion and contraction of the meibomian glands. It is quick, gentle and can offer long-lasting relief.

 

Mask-Associated-Dry-Eye (MADE) 

We know that with the prevalence of COVID-19 it is critical that we wear face masks to reduce disease transmission and prevent infection, however, recent studies have exposed dry eye as an unintended consequence of wearing a mask for long periods of time. The condition is so common today that it has a name: Mask-Associated-Dry Eye or ‘MADE.’

People with MADE report that their eyes feel dry and irritated after wearing a face mask for a prolonged amount of time. 

When a mask sits loosely against the face, exhaled air is forced upwards, toward the eyes. As the streams of air continually flow over the surface of the eyes throughout the day, they can get dry and irritated. 

If you think you are experiencing MADE, try these simple solutions:

1. Ensure your mask fits well, especially at the top. Pinch the nose wire to prevent air from being directed at your eyes.
2. Take frequent breaks from your computer and rest your eyes.
3. Mention your mask use when discussing any dry eye conditions you have with your Eyecare Plus optometrist. They can provide advice on alleviating any of the symptoms of MADE and rule out any other causes.

If you experience dry eye symptoms, discuss treatment options with your local Eyecare Plus optometrist.

 

What is Digital Eye Strain?

Most of us spend an enormous amount of time looking at a digital device. Chances are, you are reading this on a screen right now. 

Viewing a computer screen or digital device for long periods of time makes our eyes work harder. When the visual demands exceed the visual abilities of our eyes to comfortably perform, we experience a condition called ‘Digital Eye Strain’.

Sometimes called ‘Computer Vision Syndrome’, digital eye strain is the name for a group of eye and vision symptoms that are experienced as a result of too much exposure to screens – computers, game consoles, tablets, televisions or phones.

Screen reading differs from printed page reading. Often the type is not as clear; and there is also glare from the screen to contend with. Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing digital screens for extended periods. The level of discomfort tends to increase with the amount of digital screen use.

Digital eye strain is becoming increasingly common as we rely more on our devices in our daily lives. 

 

What are the symptoms of digital eye strain?

Human eyes are not designed to look at digital devices for long periods of time. Discomfort is a natural outcome of ceaselessly staring at screens. Anyone who uses a computer, tablet or hand-held device for long periods of time without regular breaks may experience the symptoms of digital eye strain:

• Eye fatigue
• Discomfort when viewing the screen
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Blurred or double vision
• Dry, sore and irritated eyes
• Headaches
• Difficulty focusing
• Excessive tears
• Pain in neck, shoulders or back

The causes for these symptoms can range from an uncorrected vision problem, improper viewing distances, poor posture, or environmental factors such as poor lighting and glare from the screen.

Most of the symptoms of digital eye strain are only temporary and will reduce after computer use or using a digital device.

Physical eye discomfort can occur in any healthy person, but particularly among those who use a screen for longer than two hours at a time.

 

What is the 20-20-20 rule?

The 20-20-20 rule is an easy reminder to take breaks from your computer to prevent eye strain.

The rule recommends that when you are looking at a digital screen to take a break of 20 seconds from looking at a screen every 20 minutes. During the 20 second break, we should focus on an object 20 feet (six metres) away to relax our eye muscles.

Some experts suggest that it is best to look out a window during the 20 second breaks. Others recommend simply closing your eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

 

What are the problems with extended screen time during lockdown?

Even before the pandemic and ‘Zoom-fatigue’ became a thing, the abundance of screen time was a concern for a growing number of eye doctors and eye care professionals.

Ongoing lockdowns have fundamentally changed our relationship with digital screens – almost everyone is spending more time online than ever before, whether that be for work, school, to shop, exercise or to stay in touch with friends and family – the list is almost endless.  

It’s important to remember that adults aren’t alone in experiencing digital eye strain. Like never before, children and young people are spending more time inside  looking at their screens. Home-learning has only compounded the problem.

 Although many adults will readily embrace simple precautions like walking away from the screen when fatigued, children tend to push through until their eyes are irritated and they get a headache.

Parents tasked with home-learning need to remember to help their children regulate their screen time, encourage them to take periodic tech-breaks and to schedule time outside each day. 

In these times of routine prolonged screen exposure, it’s important to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your local eye doctor (optometrist), especially if you haven’t had one in the last two years. Your eye doctor (optometrist) can discuss your screen use and ensure that your symptoms are addressed.