Eye Health topics
A-Z of eye conditions and eye health
Many conditions can affect your eyes, including glaucoma, allergy, conjunctivitis and cataract. Find out about the health of your eyes.
Allergy of the eye: treatment
Read how to treat symptoms of eye allergy, avoid the triggers and know when to visit a doctor or ophthalmologist.
Allergy: contact allergy of the eyes
Contact allergy is an allergic reaction caused by physical contact with a particular substance. Contact allergy of the eye or eyelids can be caused by nail polish, antibiotics and eye drops, among other things.
Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Amblyopia (sometimes also known as lazy eye ) affects about 3 per cent of children. Read about the causes and treatment for amblyopia.
Anaphylaxis and eye symptoms
Anaphylaxis is a severe inflammatory allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. It is often caused by allergies to foods, drugs or stinging insects. Eye symptoms are often experienced.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition where the front surface of the eye (the cornea) or the lens inside the eye is irregularly shaped and can cause blurred vision.
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens that focuses light inside the eye.
Cataracts
Cataracts - opaqueness (cloudiness) in the lens of the eye - are almost inevitable with age but can also be caused by excessive sunlight, diabetic complications and injury.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye's conjunctiva and may be contagious.
Conjunctivitis: allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis causes eye symptoms such as redness, burning, itching, blurring of vision, photophobia and watery discharge.
Conjunctivitis: atopic keratoconjunctivitis
Keratoconjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva and the cornea. A typical sign is eyelid skin that is red, scaly and weeping.
Conjunctivitis: unclassified conjunctivitis
Giant papillary and giant follicular conjunctivitis sometimes occur in contact lens wearers.
Conjunctivitis: vernal conjunctivitis
Vernal conjunctivitis is characterised by giant projections and follicles on the inner upper eyelid.
Contact lens care
Caring for contact lenses requires a combination of cleaning, disinfecting, soaking and wetting, rinsing and storing.
Corneal injuries
Injuries to the cornea are common, and may include abrasions and foreign bodies. Find out more about the causes, symptoms, diganosis, treatment and prevention of corneal injuries.
Diabetes and your eyes
If you have diabetes, you are at risk of vision loss from diabetes retinopathy.
Diabetes can affect your eyes
Diabetes increases the risk of eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema, cataracts and glaucoma.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetes complication that affects the small blood vessels of the retina. It remains one of the leading causes of vision loss despite effective treatments.
Dry eye
Dry eye is a term used when the eye feels dry, gritty and sore, but not painful.
Dry eyes and irritation
Dry eye includes dry or watery eyes and eye irritation. Dry eye occurs in people who produce fewer or lower quality tears. Find out what products are available for dry eyes and eye irritation.
Eye injuries: prevention
While eye injuries are common, most are preventable. Read how to protect your eyes from injury at work, at home and at play.
Eye lubricants
Eye lubricants, either in the form of drops or ointments, can help to alleviate dry eye.
Eyelid and eyelash problems
Common eye problems include inflammation and infection of the eyelids and eyelashes, also called blepharitis and styes. Find out what products are available for eyelid and eyelash problems.
Eyelids
Find out more about eyelid problems, including entropion and ectropion, which are quite common in older people.
Eyes in the sun
People know of the dangers of sun to our skin. But many people do not know that too much sun can damage the eyes.
Eyesight problems: when you need glasses
Many people with normal eyesight may need reading glasses some time after the age of 40.
Floaters: tiny particles in the eye
Floaters are tiny clumps of debris suspended in the eyeball. They cause visual disturbances, such as specks or tiny threads that float across your vision.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve which, if left untreated, eventually causes loss of vision.
Glaucoma: a common cause of blindness
Glaucoma, one of the most common causes of blindness, is due to an increase in the pressure of the fluid which circulates inside our eyes.
HRT: long-term use raises cataract risk
Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with an increased risk of cataract development, researchers warn.
Human echolocators use visual part of brain
Echolocation - used by some blind people to locate objects - enlists visual regions of the brain and is a trainable skill with potential for wider use.
julEYE
julEYE is the RANZCO Eye Foundation's eye health awareness month, which aims to raise community awareness of eye health issues.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a thinning of the cornea of the eye, which makes it look like a cone, and causes difficulties with eyesight.
Lasers
Lasers are devices that produce an intense beam of light and can be used in many forms of medical treatment.
LASIK: laser eye surgery
What does it really feel like to have LASIK laser eye surgery? Read Katie`s story to find out.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disease in which degenerative processes take place in the most sensitive part of the retina.
Macular Degeneration Awareness Week
Macular Degeneration Awareness Week aims to increase knowledge about the symptoms of macular degeneration and the importance of early treatment.
Macular degeneration risk lower with regular fish intake
Women who consume one or more servings of fish weekly have a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a study has found.
Menopause symptoms: dry eyes and joint pain
Some lesser known symptoms of the menopause are dry eyes and joint pains.
Obstructive sleep apnoea linked to floppy eyelid syndrome
More evidence has emerged backing the association between floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) and obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS).
Red eye
Red eye is the term used when the eye is red, itchy, watery and feels gritty.
Red eye treatment options
Read about some common over-the-counter treatments for red eye.
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina becomes separated from the inside of the eye, causing loss of vision.
Retinopathy in diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the retina become swollen or new tiny blood vessels grow, which damage the retina.
Sjogren's syndrome
Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic (ongoing) disease in which a person's immune system attacks their lacrimal (tear) glands and salivary glands.
Slideshow: Dry eye self-help tips
Dry eyes: tips on how to help relieve the symptoms (eyes that feel dry, tired, gritty and uncomfortable).
Sore eyes
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of sore eyes. Find out about conjunctivitis and symptoms that indicate a more serious eye problem.
Stye
A stye (sty) or hordeolum is an infection of a follicle or gland at the base of an eyelash.
Sun protection with sunglasses
Experts recommend wearing sunglasses whenever the light is bright enough to make you squint, to help prevent cataracts and other eye damage.
Tears
Tears are important for protecting, lubricating and cleaning the eyes; common problems are a watery eye due to a blocked tear duct, and dry eye due to reduced tear production.
Thyroid eye disease
Thyroid eye disease occurs in people with thyroid disease and is characterised by inflammation, swelling and eventual scarring.
World Glaucoma Week
World Glaucoma Week aims to raise awareness of glaucoma – an eye condition that commonly goes undiagnosed because there are often no warning signs.
Read how to treat symptoms of eye allergy, avoid the triggers and know when to visit a doctor or ophthalmologist.
Allergy: contact allergy of the eyes
Contact allergy is an allergic reaction caused by physical contact with a particular substance. Contact allergy of the eye or eyelids can be caused by nail polish, antibiotics and eye drops, among other things.
Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Amblyopia (sometimes also known as lazy eye ) affects about 3 per cent of children. Read about the causes and treatment for amblyopia.
Anaphylaxis and eye symptoms
Anaphylaxis is a severe inflammatory allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. It is often caused by allergies to foods, drugs or stinging insects. Eye symptoms are often experienced.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition where the front surface of the eye (the cornea) or the lens inside the eye is irregularly shaped and can cause blurred vision.
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens that focuses light inside the eye.
Cataracts
Cataracts - opaqueness (cloudiness) in the lens of the eye - are almost inevitable with age but can also be caused by excessive sunlight, diabetic complications and injury.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye's conjunctiva and may be contagious.
Conjunctivitis: allergic conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis causes eye symptoms such as redness, burning, itching, blurring of vision, photophobia and watery discharge.
Conjunctivitis: atopic keratoconjunctivitis
Keratoconjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva and the cornea. A typical sign is eyelid skin that is red, scaly and weeping.
Conjunctivitis: unclassified conjunctivitis
Giant papillary and giant follicular conjunctivitis sometimes occur in contact lens wearers.
Conjunctivitis: vernal conjunctivitis
Vernal conjunctivitis is characterised by giant projections and follicles on the inner upper eyelid.
Contact lens care
Caring for contact lenses requires a combination of cleaning, disinfecting, soaking and wetting, rinsing and storing.
Corneal injuries
Injuries to the cornea are common, and may include abrasions and foreign bodies. Find out more about the causes, symptoms, diganosis, treatment and prevention of corneal injuries.
Diabetes and your eyes
If you have diabetes, you are at risk of vision loss from diabetes retinopathy.
Diabetes can affect your eyes
Diabetes increases the risk of eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema, cataracts and glaucoma.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetes complication that affects the small blood vessels of the retina. It remains one of the leading causes of vision loss despite effective treatments.
Dry eye
Dry eye is a term used when the eye feels dry, gritty and sore, but not painful.
Dry eyes and irritation
Dry eye includes dry or watery eyes and eye irritation. Dry eye occurs in people who produce fewer or lower quality tears. Find out what products are available for dry eyes and eye irritation.
Eye injuries: prevention
While eye injuries are common, most are preventable. Read how to protect your eyes from injury at work, at home and at play.
Eye lubricants
Eye lubricants, either in the form of drops or ointments, can help to alleviate dry eye.
Eyelid and eyelash problems
Common eye problems include inflammation and infection of the eyelids and eyelashes, also called blepharitis and styes. Find out what products are available for eyelid and eyelash problems.
Eyelids
Find out more about eyelid problems, including entropion and ectropion, which are quite common in older people.
Eyes in the sun
People know of the dangers of sun to our skin. But many people do not know that too much sun can damage the eyes.
Eyesight problems: when you need glasses
Many people with normal eyesight may need reading glasses some time after the age of 40.
Floaters: tiny particles in the eye
Floaters are tiny clumps of debris suspended in the eyeball. They cause visual disturbances, such as specks or tiny threads that float across your vision.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve which, if left untreated, eventually causes loss of vision.
Glaucoma: a common cause of blindness
Glaucoma, one of the most common causes of blindness, is due to an increase in the pressure of the fluid which circulates inside our eyes.
HRT: long-term use raises cataract risk
Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with an increased risk of cataract development, researchers warn.
Human echolocators use visual part of brain
Echolocation - used by some blind people to locate objects - enlists visual regions of the brain and is a trainable skill with potential for wider use.
julEYE
julEYE is the RANZCO Eye Foundation's eye health awareness month, which aims to raise community awareness of eye health issues.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a thinning of the cornea of the eye, which makes it look like a cone, and causes difficulties with eyesight.
Lasers
Lasers are devices that produce an intense beam of light and can be used in many forms of medical treatment.
LASIK: laser eye surgery
What does it really feel like to have LASIK laser eye surgery? Read Katie`s story to find out.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disease in which degenerative processes take place in the most sensitive part of the retina.
Macular Degeneration Awareness Week
Macular Degeneration Awareness Week aims to increase knowledge about the symptoms of macular degeneration and the importance of early treatment.
Macular degeneration risk lower with regular fish intake
Women who consume one or more servings of fish weekly have a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a study has found.
Menopause symptoms: dry eyes and joint pain
Some lesser known symptoms of the menopause are dry eyes and joint pains.
Obstructive sleep apnoea linked to floppy eyelid syndrome
More evidence has emerged backing the association between floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) and obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS).
Red eye
Red eye is the term used when the eye is red, itchy, watery and feels gritty.
Red eye treatment options
Read about some common over-the-counter treatments for red eye.
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina becomes separated from the inside of the eye, causing loss of vision.
Retinopathy in diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the retina become swollen or new tiny blood vessels grow, which damage the retina.
Sjogren's syndrome
Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic (ongoing) disease in which a person's immune system attacks their lacrimal (tear) glands and salivary glands.
Slideshow: Dry eye self-help tips
Dry eyes: tips on how to help relieve the symptoms (eyes that feel dry, tired, gritty and uncomfortable).
Sore eyes
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of sore eyes. Find out about conjunctivitis and symptoms that indicate a more serious eye problem.
Stye
A stye (sty) or hordeolum is an infection of a follicle or gland at the base of an eyelash.
Sun protection with sunglasses
Experts recommend wearing sunglasses whenever the light is bright enough to make you squint, to help prevent cataracts and other eye damage.
Tears
Tears are important for protecting, lubricating and cleaning the eyes; common problems are a watery eye due to a blocked tear duct, and dry eye due to reduced tear production.
Thyroid eye disease
Thyroid eye disease occurs in people with thyroid disease and is characterised by inflammation, swelling and eventual scarring.
World Glaucoma Week
World Glaucoma Week aims to raise awareness of glaucoma – an eye condition that commonly goes undiagnosed because there are often no warning signs.
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