Eye Conditions
This section provides general information about common eye problems. murwillumbah Optometrist is a member of the Optometry Association of Australia, and the following information is © of the Optometry Association of Australia.
This section is NOT provided for “self diagnosis” and it is recommended that if you are concerned about your eyes or a family members eyes you should contact us for an eye examination. We are able to bulk bill eye examinations for you.
Normal:
For perfect clear vision, the image needs to be focused onto the retina, just as a camera has to be focused properly in order to take a clear picture.
Find out more about Normal Eyes >>
Ageing Vision :
While many older people maintain good eyesight well into their 80s and beyond, others may have their vision affected by some type of visual impairment. As part of the normal aging process some changes occur that can weaken your eyes.
Find out more about Ageing Vision >>
Amblyopia:
Amblyopia, sometimes called lazy eye, results from abnormal development of vision in early childhood. In amblyopia, one eye develops proper vision, while the other eye (the amblyopic eye) fails to develop normal vision.
Find out more about Amblyopia >>
Astigmatism:
Is a focusing error which causes asymmetric blur. Some directions in an image are more out of focus than others. This can be contrasted with short-sightedness (Myopia) where all directions are uniformly blurred.
Find out more about Astigmatism >>
Colour Blindness:
Colour vision defects are almost always inherited, although some forms can be acquired condition as a result of some diseases or injuries.
Find out more about Colour Blindness >>
Convergence:
To see clearly and without confusion at close distances, both eyes must be aimed precisely at the object the person is trying to see.
Unfortunately, not everyone develops this ability in childhood. Inaccuracy of the alignment of the eyes con result in visual fatigue, blurred or doubled vision, poor judgment of depth, eye ache, headache and mental fatigue.
Find out more about Convergence >>
Hyperopia:
The eye’s lens and cornea focus light into an image on the retina, just as a camera lens focuses light on to a film. In a hyperopic (longsighted) eye, the light is focused behind the retina and so the image is blurred.
Find out more about Hyperopia >>
Keen Vision:
At some stage, everyone starts to have trouble reading fine print. Whether the page is moved close to the eyes or held at arm’s length, the print is blurred and attempts to read it are frustrated.
This loss of near vision happens to all of us and is quite normal. It begins for most of us in the early forties and this is called presbyopia. Fortunately there is a solution to this problem, wearing corrective spectacle lenses brings the sharpness again to fine print.
Find out more about Keen Vision >>
Muscle Coordination:
Difficulties with eye muscle coordination occur when the eyes do not align or focus together as a team. This improper control of the eye muscles can result in crossed-eyes, poor focussing ability, or simply discomfort and headache from the extra effort required.
Common remedies are vision training, prisms, therapeutic spectacles, bifocal or progressive lenses.
Find out more about Muscle Coordination >>
Myopia:
Is what most people call shortsighted. Shortsighted people do not see distant objects clearly. The eye’s lens and cornea normally focus light on the retina. In a myopic eye the light is focused in front of the retina, thus the image is blurred.
Presbyopia:
Is a common condition which makes vision difficult at a normal reading distance. It is not a disease.Close tasks such as reading and sewing become difficult, particularly under poor lighting conditions.
Find out more about Presbyopia >>
UV and your Eyes
More than 99% of UV radiation is absorbed by the anterior structures of the eye, although some of it does reach the light-sensitive retina. The UV radiation present in sunlight is not useful for vision.
Find out more about UV and your Eyes >>
VDU symptoms
One of the most significant changes to the modern office in recent years has been the introduction of computers into the workplace. As a result we spend a lot more time using a VDU screen or computer monitor.
Find out more about VDU symptoms >>
Visual Skills
Vision is a learnt skill that embraces the ability to identify, interpret and understand what is seen. It requires not only correct focusing but also the efficient mechanical functioning of the eyes and brain and a high degree of coordinated activity of the two eyes.
