eye care support
Common Eye Conditions
Your visual system is one of the most complex in your body, and most of the information you use every day comes through your eyes.
Many eye conditions can be prevented or managed effectively when detected early. Regular eye examinations help detect problems early—often before symptoms appear. Most people benefit from a check-up every two years, or sooner if they notice changes in their vision.
Your optometrist can assess your eyes, explain any findings and recommend the best options for maintaining healthy vision.
Refractive Errors
Myopia (short-sightedness)
Myopia makes distant objects appear blurred because light focuses in front of the retina. It affects around 15% of the population and often begins in the teenage years. Myopia is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
It can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, or managed with options such as orthokeratology or refractive surgery.
Hyperopia (long-sightedness)
Hyperopia makes near tasks more difficult, although distance vision may remain clear. Young people can often compensate by adjusting the focus of the lens inside the eye, but this may lead to eye strain. Hyperopia is usually inherited and is corrected with glasses or contact lenses when needed.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism causes uneven or distorted vision because the eye does not focus light evenly in all directions. It is usually related to the shape of the cornea or lens and may be inherited. Glasses or contact lenses provide clear, comfortable vision.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a normal part of ageing that affects everyone from around age 45. As the lens becomes less flexible, focusing on near objects becomes more difficult. Reading glasses, multifocals or other lens options can restore comfortable near vision.
Colour-vision deficiencies
Often called “colour blindness,” colour-vision deficiency affects the ability to distinguish certain colours—most commonly reds and greens.
It is usually inherited and far more common in males (1 in 12) than females (1 in 200). Testing is important for children and for people considering careers requiring accurate colour discrimination.
Eye-coordination disorders
Clear vision requires both eyes to aim accurately at the same object. If the eyes do not work together well, symptoms such as eye strain, headaches or double vision may occur. In some cases, one eye may turn in or out (strabismus). Optometrists can assess eye alignment and may recommend glasses or specific exercises.
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Eye Condition FAQs
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure inside the eye. It can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated.
Glaucoma usually has no early symptoms, making regular eye examinations essential—especially for people over 40 or those with a family history.
Treatment may include eye drops or, in some cases, surgery.
Cataracts occur when the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, reducing vision. They are most commonly related to ageing and long-term UV exposure, but can also result from injury, disease or, rarely, be present at birth.
Cataracts usually progress slowly. Surgery to replace the cloudy lens with an artificial intra-ocular lens (IOL) is a routine and highly successful procedure.