A cataract occurs with a clouding of the normally clear lens within the eye. Cataracts are more common with age and a family history.

Cataracts develop without pain or discomfort, and indications of cataract development may include blurred or hazy vision, increased sensitivity to glare or the feeling of having a film over the eyes. As with number of eye conditions, vision changes tend to occur slowly and without any obvious signs or discomfort.

If the cataract develops to the point that it affects your daily activities you can be referred to an eye surgeon who may recommend surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a new plastic lens and restore your vision. Regular eye examinations help to make the most of your vision and to detect any conditions that need treatment. Click for a Printable Information Sheet!

	Diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body’s ability to use and store sugar and can cause many health problems including diabetic retinopathy in the eyes.

Diabetic retinopathy can weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish the eye’s retina. These blood vessels may begin to leak, and affect the retinal function. The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurred vision. As the disease progresses, vision may be cloudy, and blind spots or floaters may occur.

If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness and as with number of eye conditions, vision changes may occur without any obvious signs or discomfort. If you have diabetes, or a family history, regular eye examinations help to make the most of your vision and to detect any changes that need treatment. Click for a Printable Information Sheet!

	Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. Approximately 2% of people over the age of 40 have Glaucoma and the risk increases with age.

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which damage to your optic nerve can cause vision loss. The most common type of glaucoma develops gradually and painlessly without symptoms in the early stages. Severe loss of peripheral vision may occur before the sufferer realises there is a problem. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored.

Glaucoma most often occurs in people over the age of 40. People with a family history of glaucoma and those very near sighted or diabetic are at higher risk of developing the disease. Early detection is important. Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled. Click for a Printable Information Sheet!

	Macular Degeneration is a common condition that causes diminished sight.

The macula is a central point in the retina which corresponds to the point of sharpest vision used for fine focus tasks at distance and near. It is the most active part of the retina and requires a lot of nutrients to be processed into the energy required for its activity.

As we age, sometimes the eye is less efficient at removing the waste products that result from this process and deposits build up at the macula. This occurs more commonly with age, a family history and in smokers. These deposits can produce a slow painless loss of vision. People with macular degeneration may find visual tasks such as driving, reading, writing and sewing difficult. As with number of eye conditions, vision changes tend to occur slowly and without any obvious signs or discomfort. Regular eye examinations help to make the most of your vision and to detect any conditions that need treatment. Click for a Printable Information Sheet!

	Dry Scratchy Itchy Eyes - a common problem

The macula is a central point in the retina which corresponds to the point of sharpest vision used for fine focus tasks at distance and near. It is the most active part of the retina and requires a lot of nutrients to be processed into the energy required for its activity.

As we age, sometimes the eye is less efficient at removing the waste products that result from this process and deposits build up at the macula. This occurs more commonly with age, a family history and in smokers. These deposits can produce a slow painless loss of vision. People with macular degeneration may find visual tasks such as driving, reading, writing and sewing difficult. As with number of eye conditions, vision changes tend to occur slowly and without any obvious signs or discomfort. Regular eye examinations help to make the most of your vision and to detect any conditions that need treatment. Click for a Printable Information Sheet!