Eye Conditions
Eye Health Patient Information
Please click on the links below for more information about specific eye conditions and treatments.
Links are sourced from The Royal /Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists.
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the margins of the eyelids. It can occur in children and adults of any age.
Cataracts
Cloudy areas on the lens of the eye can develop as a normal part of aging.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is often called pink eye. It happens when the conjunctiva is irritated by an infection or allergies.
Corneal Dystrophies
Corneal dystrophies are a group of relatively rare genetic eye disorders in which abnormal material often accumulates in the cornea.
Diabetic Retinopathy
In people with diabetes, tiny blood vessels in the retina may become diseased and damaged.
Dry Eye
This occurs when the eye does not produce enough tears or the tear quality is poor. In Australia and New Zealand, Dry Eye affects one adult in 10.
Flashes and Floaters
Usually associated with the aging process and can involve small dark shapes entering the field of vision or small flashes of light.
Fluorescein Angiography
The ophthalmologist uses a special camera to take pictures of your retina that give a better look at the back of the eye.
Glaucoma
A group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve that links the retina to the brain. Often, glaucoma is associated with too much pressure inside the eyeball.
Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is when blood does not flow properly to your eye’s optic nerve, eventually causing lasting damage to this nerve.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is when the cornea thins out and bulges like a cone. Changing the shape of the cornea brings light rays out of focus.
Macular Degeneration
This occurs when the macula, a small area of the retina, is damaged. AMD usually affects both eyes but it may produce symptoms in one eye first.
Macular Hole
Macular hole is when a tear or opening forms in your macula. As the hole forms, things in your central vision will look blurry, wavy or distorted.
Oculaplastic Surgery
Oculoplastic surgery is a division of ophthalmology that focusses on the eye socket, eyelids, tear ducts, and face.
Pterygium
A wedge-shaped growth of thickened tissue that covers the white part of the eye. It can grow to cover the pupil, become red, irritated, cause astigmatism and become uncomfortable.
Retinal Detachments
When a retinal detachment occurs, the retina is separated from the underlying tissue. Wherever the retina detaches, vision is lost and a shadow develops.
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Retinal vein occlusions occur when there is a blockage of veins carrying blood with needed oxygen and nutrients away from the nerve cells in the retina.
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of eye problems that affect the retina. This condition changes how the retina responds to light, making it hard to see.
Uveitis
Inflammation of any part of the uvea, the middle tissue layer of the eye. Sometimes, uveitis affects other areas of the eye, for example, the retina, optic nerve or the lens.
Watery Eye
Abnormal and chronic overflow of tears from the eye. The condition can involve surgery and is distinct from acute epiphora, which usually results from an irritant to the eyes, such as sawdust or an allergy.