Eye Conditions

Myopia (Short sightedness) Myopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which near objects are seen clearly, but distant objects do not come into proper focus. People who are short-sighted have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. Frowning and screwing up the eyes in an effort to see better is common, and Myopia sufferers may also experience headaches. Myopia is often inherited, but can also develop in someone with no family history due to excessive near work coupled with poor eye coordination. It occurs when the lens system of the eye is too strong for its length, or as is more often the case, the eye is too long for its optical power. This means that most myopic eyes are in fact healthy; they are just larger than normal. In most myopic eyes vision can be improved with spectacles or contact lenses. Corrective lenses shift the point of focus so that it falls exactly on the back of the eye, giving clear vision. Return to top

Hyperopia (Long sightedness) Hyperopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which distant objects are usually seen clearly, but close ones are not brought into proper focus. A long-sighted person can only see clearly looking into the far distance if the muscular focusing system inside the eye is used with excessive effort. The long sighted eye has to work harder than a normal eye at all distances. Long-sightedness can cause eyestrain, headaches, poor concentration, double vision, or blurred vision when looking up from close work. Hyperopia is due to the eye being smaller than normal. Clear vision is impossible unless the power of the optical system is increased by either spectacles or contact lenses. Return to top

Astigmatism Far from the 'stigma' that many people think it is, astigmatism is a normal condition of the cornea - the clear window over the coloured iris of the eye - where its shape is like an egg instead of a sphere. This egg shape means that the eye focuses differently over the surface of the cornea, and the correction for astigmatism is incorporated into your spectacles or contact lenses along with your short- or long-sightedness. Almost everyone has a little bit of astigmatism, but it has to be at a certain level before it is a major reason for spectacles or contact lenses. Normal astigmatism is never sight-threatening, and quite often remains stable throughout life. Astigmatism can be seen with corneal topography - the instrument which maps out this egg-shaped surface of the cornea. Return to top

Presbyopia

As we get older, the lens of the eye thickens and slowly loses its flexibility, making it difficult to focus on things close up. This loss of focusing ability is called Presbyopia. It is not a disease, but a normal change which affects everyone. Presbyopia doesn't occur suddenly, and it doesn't affect distance vision. It is a change which can not be prevented; it begins in adolescence and is most noticeable around the age of 40 to 45, when vision at our normal reading distance becomes blurry. The simplest form of correction is to wear a pair of reading glasses for close up work. Unfortunately this will cause blurred vision for long distances, so many people opt for bifocal or multifocal lenses to provide clear vision at both short and long distances. Contact lenses can also be worn to correct presbyopia.

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Amblyopia ('lazy eye')

Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is the eye condition noted by reduced vision not correctable by glasses or contact lenses and is not due to any eye disease. The brain, for some reason, does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. This almost always affects only one eye but may manifest with reduction of vision in both eyes. It is estimated that 3% of children under six have some form of amblyopia.

Anything that interferes with clear vision in either eye during the critical period (birth to 6 years of age) can cause amblyopia. The most common causes of amblyopia are constant strabismus (constant turn of one eye), anisometropia (different vision/prescriptions in each eye), and/or blockage of an eye due to cataract, trauma, lid droop, etc.

The most important diagnostic tools are the special visual acuity tests other than the 20/20 letter charts. Examination with cycloplegic drops can be necessary to detect this condition in the young. Since amblyopia usually occurs in one eye only, many parents and children are unaware of the condition. Many children go undiagnosed until they have their eyes examined at the eye doctor's office at a later age. Comprehensive vision evaluations are highly recommended for infants and pre-school children. We recommend all children have a full eye examination before commencing Prep.

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Strabismus ('turned eye')

Strabismus, more commonly known as cross-eyed or wall-eyed, is a vision condition in which a person can not align both eyes simultaneously under normal conditions. One or both of the eyes may turn in, out, up or down. An eye turn may be constant (when the eye turns all of the time) or intermittent (turning only some of the time, such as, under stressful conditions or when ill). Whether constant or intermittent, strabismus always requires appropriate evaluation and treatment. Children do not outgrow strabismus!

The best chance of success in eliminating the effects of the most difficult conditions, amblyopia or constant strabismus, occurs before the age of two. However, this does not preclude excellent success in many older patients and at least partial success in most patients older than 6 years of age. Thus, every attempt should be made to improve strabismus and lazy eye, though treatment might not be as effective after the age of six, and definitely requires more work. Also, remember that if an eye turn occurs only some of the time (intermittent), the cells of the brains do not develop the changes associated with the more challenging cases of constant eye turns.

Make sure your child has a full eye examination before commencing school.

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Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition where the fluid pressure in the eye causes damage to the optic nerve, and can lead to blindness. A normal amount of pressure in the eye needs to be maintained so that the eye holds its shape and can function fully. This pressure is held by fluids in the eye (intraocular pressure), but just as pressure in the arteries and veins can become too high, the same can occur in the eye; although eye pressure and blood pressure are unrelated. Left untreated, an elevated intraocular pressure causes irreversible damage the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibres, resulting in a progressive, permanent loss of vision. However, early detection and treatment can slow, or even halt the progression of the disease.

Glaucoma is more complicated than a simple elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP), as what is 'normal' can vary from person to person. Some people can have a 'high' IOP but no signs of glaucoma, whereas some people may have a measured IOP within the 'normal' range but show glaucomatous damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma can also be inherited - a first degree relative (parent or sibling) with glaucoma increases your risk of developing glaucoma by four times - but it also can develop as a consequence of general health problems; like diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) or those requiring steroid medications; or in conjunction with other ocular conditions like myopia (short sightedness), eye trauma and congenital malformations of the eye.

Gerry & Johnson Optometrists has the latest technical equipment available to all patients to assess, diagnose and monitor glaucoma. All full eye examinations include intraocular pressure checks and assessment for other eye health risk factors.

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Macular Degeneration (MD or AMD)

Macula degeneration is an age related condition of the macula - the central part of the retina which is responsible for fine detail vision and colour discrimination. Waste deposits from nutritional processes of the retina, which are usually removed in the healthy eye, accumulate in the macular area and compromise its function. As nerve tissue like that of the retina and macula cannot regenerate, once it is damaged, an irreversible loss of vision occurs. Age related macular degeneration (MD or AMD) can vary in severity from slight distortions of central vision to a complete loss of central vision which makes reading or driving impossible - but it does not cause total blindness as the peripheral (side) vision is not affected. ARMD becomes more common as we get older - only 4% of people over 40 years are affected, but this increases to 23% in those over 65 and 31% in those over 80.

Gerry & Johnson Optometrists have the latest digital imaging equipment which allows for permanent photographs of the retina and macula to be recorded, so any changes are easily and accurately noticed.

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Diabetes & Vision Diabetes can affect the eyes in many ways, but the greatest threat to vision is posed when diabetes affects the retina - the tissue layer at the back of the eye which receives the information of sight. When this occurs, it is called diabetic retinopathy. Just like diabetes can affect young and old, the same is true of diabetic retinopathy. While around 4% of the Australian population suffer from diabetes (with this figure on the rise as obesity becomes more common), more than 70% of these people will show signs of diabetic retinopathy by 15 years post-diagnosis. Any changes are best treated early for successful outcomes, so anyone with diabetes should have their eyes checked at least once a year to watch for any signs and risk factors. Gerry & Johnson Optometrists have digital retinal photography facilities to accurately and permanently record any signs of diabetic retinopathy, and to monitor for any changes. Return to top