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 eyes occur when there are insufficient tears to adequately lubricate the surface of the eye. Common symptoms include burning, stinging, grittiness or foreign body sensation, sore or tired eyes, and red eyes.

Dry eyes often lead to vision that is blurry or filmy, and headaches and sensitivity to glare may be experienced. Occasionally the eyes may also water when outdoors in the wind, if the surface is dry, as reflex are produced in an effort to keep the surface wet. Dry eye occurs more commonly with age, in women, and with certain medications and medical conditions.

There are a number of things that can be done to improve the situation with dry eye. The first involves the use of lubricants or artificial tears, which aim to replenish and soothe the surface of the eye, and can be purchased without prescription. The second is to look to minimize the environmental factors that worsen dry eye.

Conscious blinking may help but is difficult to sustain as it is normally an unconscious activity. Finally, the use of sunglasses is recommended to cut glare and slow down the wind from drying the eye surface when outdoors. We recommend polarised sunglasses for this purpose and a close fitting pair will be best.Click for a Printable Information Sheet!

	Did you know that there are over 4000 "at work" eye injuries each year and twice as many outside work? We blink fast, but often not fast enough, and things can get into the eye.

The Cornea bears the brunt of many injuries. The cornea is the clear layer over the iris. Think of it like a windscreen of a car. The cornea is normally clear as it has a very regular structure to allow the light to pass through. Any insult to the cornea often results in loss of clarity due to loss of the regular structure.

Small injuries often leave small scars resulting in a cloudy cornea. Penetrating injuries may damaage the iris so the pupil does not respond to the light as well resulting in glare senstivity. It can also damage the lens behind the iris and lead to a cataract easily and glaucoma can also occur. Surgeons can transplant a cornea in some circumstances and remove a cataract if one occurs however the injured eye often never recovers to be as good as it was originally. Thus prevention is best.

Assess the risk. Accidents can happen when we least expect it such as flying particles, dust, chemical splashes, radiation from welding and lasers. Gardening injuries are very common and can happen when mowing lawns, working in the garden and when spraying chemicals. Other risks include motorcycling, cycling, mountain biking and slipping while walking. Chemical and penetrating injuries lead to the worst damage.

Wear safety glasses when appropriate. Polycarbonate safety glasses can be bought inexpensively at Visique McClelland Optometrists. Polycarbonate has a high impact resisitance and also blocks out 100% of UV light. Goggles and safety visors are also available. Presription safety glasses may be required at some workplaces and must meet safety standards.