Eye Health
Eyetopia Optometrist, 228 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Phone 9699 9188, email: sulena@eyetopia.com.au
Refractive Errors
Some people's eyes have difficulty focussing at certain distances. These optical problems are called refractive errors and are usually easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The typical conditions are Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism or Presbyopia.
Myopia or Short-sighted
People with Myopia have eyes that are more naturally focussed for close vision and they are unable to re-focus for longer distances. It is usually quite simple for the Optometrist to correct this with glasses or contact lenses. The actual cause of Myopia is not known but it is likely to be a combination of genetic and behavioural factors such as excessive reading or computer use.
Hyperopia or Longsighted
Hyperopic people are the opposite of Myopic and focus more readily at longer distance but have trouble seeing sharply up close. The cause of this condition is probably genetic and the hyperopic eyeball may be smaller then average. Again it is corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Astigmatism
The front surface, or cornea, of a perfect eye is completely spherical. However it is quite normal for a cornea to be non-spherical, like a football, which results in blurry vision in some directions. The cause may be genetic or just natural variation. Unlike Myopia or Hyperopic the blur is at all distances. Astigmatism may also be combined with either these conditions as well. Regardless it is simply corrected with glasses. Some degrees of astigmatism can be corrected with contact lenses.
Presbyopia
The lens in a human eye needs to flex to focus at near distance. For just about everyone from about the age of 45 the lens in the eye and the muscles that control it become stiff and inflexible. Presbyopic people need vision correction to enable them to see up close. This is why most people have glasses for reading when they are older. It is possible to have myopia and astigmatism with presbyopia but this can be corrected with multi-focal glasses. Presbyopia can also be corrected with special multi-focal contact lenses, refer to the Contact Lenses page for more information.
Colour Vision Problems
It is not unusual for some people to have colour vision defects, particularly males. It is rare for someone to be totally unable to discern colours. The more typical defect is to confuse particular colours, such as red and green. Optometrists have special colour plates to test colour vision, however most people adapt to their deficiency and there is normally no correction aid available. Colour vision may be important for a person's work and this is the most relevant reason for testing.
Eye Co-ordination Disorders
As children some people do not develop the ability to aim their eyes in a co-ordinated way at the object they are looking at. The result may be headaches, eyestrain, double vision or the eyes turn in or out. One eye may even look away in different direction while the dominant eye focuses on the subject. The optometrist can measure eye alignment and detect if there is any strain. Eye exercises or glasses can be prescribed to assist with co-ordination disorders.
Eye Infections and Injuries
If your eyes have pain, redness, irritation, inflammation or other physical symptoms you may have an eye infection or injury. If this is the case the optometrist will propose treatment to relive the problems. If the condition is more serious the optometrist will refer you to an appropriate eye specialist or clinic. It is best to seek advice quickly as it is usually easier to treat the problem sooner rather than later. If it is after hours the best course of action may be to go to the Eye and Ear Hospital (32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne) where there is 24 hour emergency department.
Dry Eyes
People with feelings of dryness, irritation, grittiness, soreness, burning or redness may have 'dry eye' or tear film abnormality. The reasons may be environmental or physical. The optometrist has tests to determine if a patient has this problem and can recommend or supply eye drops to provide relief. If the underlying cause is more serious the patient will be referred to an eye specialist for treatment.
Glaucoma
The nerves that transmit information to the brain may become damaged, this disease is called glaucoma and it may result in blindness if left untreated. Usually there are no symptoms until irreversible vision loss has occurred. However the optometrist can examine your eyes through special instruments, conduct some simple tests and ask about eye health in your family as glaucoma is often inherited. If there are concerns the Optometrist will refer you to an eye specialist for further diagnosis and treatment. Glaucoma is usually prevented or controlled with eye drops.
Cataracts
As we age the lenses in our eyes can become cloudy, which affects the vision. This is known as cataracts. It is thought to be caused by long term exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, but it may also result from exposure to radiation or toxic substances. Wearing dark sunglasses and a hat outside may help prevent this condition. Surgery to replace the clouded lenses with synthetic ones is quite common and usually straightforward. The optometrist will refer the patient to an eye specialist for examination and surgery if they detect cataracts.
Diabetes
A person with diabetes may have variable vision day to day, depending on their blood sugar levels. Optometrists can help by examining diabetic patient's eyes for damage to the retina. If required a referral to an eye specialist for further evaluation and possible laser treatment will be arranged. A diabetic person should see their optometrist at least once a year (or more as advised by the optometrist) for ongoing management.
Some people's eyes have difficulty focussing at certain distances. These optical problems are called refractive errors and are usually easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The typical conditions are Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism or Presbyopia.
Myopia or Short-sighted
People with Myopia have eyes that are more naturally focussed for close vision and they are unable to re-focus for longer distances. It is usually quite simple for the Optometrist to correct this with glasses or contact lenses. The actual cause of Myopia is not known but it is likely to be a combination of genetic and behavioural factors such as excessive reading or computer use.
Hyperopia or Longsighted
Hyperopic people are the opposite of Myopic and focus more readily at longer distance but have trouble seeing sharply up close. The cause of this condition is probably genetic and the hyperopic eyeball may be smaller then average. Again it is corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Astigmatism
The front surface, or cornea, of a perfect eye is completely spherical. However it is quite normal for a cornea to be non-spherical, like a football, which results in blurry vision in some directions. The cause may be genetic or just natural variation. Unlike Myopia or Hyperopic the blur is at all distances. Astigmatism may also be combined with either these conditions as well. Regardless it is simply corrected with glasses. Some degrees of astigmatism can be corrected with contact lenses.
Presbyopia
The lens in a human eye needs to flex to focus at near distance. For just about everyone from about the age of 45 the lens in the eye and the muscles that control it become stiff and inflexible. Presbyopic people need vision correction to enable them to see up close. This is why most people have glasses for reading when they are older. It is possible to have myopia and astigmatism with presbyopia but this can be corrected with multi-focal glasses. Presbyopia can also be corrected with special multi-focal contact lenses, refer to the Contact Lenses page for more information.
Colour Vision Problems
It is not unusual for some people to have colour vision defects, particularly males. It is rare for someone to be totally unable to discern colours. The more typical defect is to confuse particular colours, such as red and green. Optometrists have special colour plates to test colour vision, however most people adapt to their deficiency and there is normally no correction aid available. Colour vision may be important for a person's work and this is the most relevant reason for testing.
Eye Co-ordination Disorders
As children some people do not develop the ability to aim their eyes in a co-ordinated way at the object they are looking at. The result may be headaches, eyestrain, double vision or the eyes turn in or out. One eye may even look away in different direction while the dominant eye focuses on the subject. The optometrist can measure eye alignment and detect if there is any strain. Eye exercises or glasses can be prescribed to assist with co-ordination disorders.
Eye Infections and Injuries
If your eyes have pain, redness, irritation, inflammation or other physical symptoms you may have an eye infection or injury. If this is the case the optometrist will propose treatment to relive the problems. If the condition is more serious the optometrist will refer you to an appropriate eye specialist or clinic. It is best to seek advice quickly as it is usually easier to treat the problem sooner rather than later. If it is after hours the best course of action may be to go to the Eye and Ear Hospital (32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne) where there is 24 hour emergency department.
Dry Eyes
People with feelings of dryness, irritation, grittiness, soreness, burning or redness may have 'dry eye' or tear film abnormality. The reasons may be environmental or physical. The optometrist has tests to determine if a patient has this problem and can recommend or supply eye drops to provide relief. If the underlying cause is more serious the patient will be referred to an eye specialist for treatment.
Glaucoma
The nerves that transmit information to the brain may become damaged, this disease is called glaucoma and it may result in blindness if left untreated. Usually there are no symptoms until irreversible vision loss has occurred. However the optometrist can examine your eyes through special instruments, conduct some simple tests and ask about eye health in your family as glaucoma is often inherited. If there are concerns the Optometrist will refer you to an eye specialist for further diagnosis and treatment. Glaucoma is usually prevented or controlled with eye drops.
Cataracts
As we age the lenses in our eyes can become cloudy, which affects the vision. This is known as cataracts. It is thought to be caused by long term exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, but it may also result from exposure to radiation or toxic substances. Wearing dark sunglasses and a hat outside may help prevent this condition. Surgery to replace the clouded lenses with synthetic ones is quite common and usually straightforward. The optometrist will refer the patient to an eye specialist for examination and surgery if they detect cataracts.
Diabetes
A person with diabetes may have variable vision day to day, depending on their blood sugar levels. Optometrists can help by examining diabetic patient's eyes for damage to the retina. If required a referral to an eye specialist for further evaluation and possible laser treatment will be arranged. A diabetic person should see their optometrist at least once a year (or more as advised by the optometrist) for ongoing management.
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Eye Health | Optometrist | Links | Location
Eyetopia Optometrist, 228 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Phone 9699 9188, email: sulena@eyetopia.com.au