Retinal Photographs: What Can They Tell You?

26/06/2023

Despite the fact that up to 90% of vision loss can be prevented with early detection and treatment, many eye diseases and conditions exhibit very few or no early symptoms. This means that many people remain unaware of any issues, often for long periods, until their eyesight begins to deteriorate or an optometrist detects subtle changes through a retinal photograph.

Here at the Optical Warehouse, our optometrists use various digital tools, including retinal photographs, to swiftly identify and address any emerging problems. By utilising a high-resolution camera to capture an image of the back of your eye, a retinal photograph enables your optometrist to closely and precisely examine your eyes. This examination can uncover symptoms such as damaged blood vessels caused by diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma — all potential culprits for vision loss if left untreated. Remarkably, retinal photographs can even unveil other serious health concerns beyond the realm of ocular health, such as brain tumours and strokes.

We understand the invaluable nature of your eyesight, which is why our highly qualified eye care professionals are dedicated to safeguarding your vision and overall eye health for the long haul. The process of retinal photography is rapid and painless, with immediate visualisation of the captured images.

Retinal Photography: An Overview

Retinal photography involves capturing a high-resolution digital image of the posterior (back) part of your eye. This image reveals crucial details, including your retina – a delicate layer of light-sensitive cells that captures light and images, along with your optic disk – a small focal point on the retina housing the optic nerve responsible for transmitting information to the brain and the intricate network of blood vessels.

Here at the Optical Warehouse, we prioritise comprehensive eye examinations, which encompass retinal photography. In Australia, it is recommended to undergo this examination every two years, or annually if you are 65 years or older. We securely store your digital images, allowing our optometry team to compare your retinal photographs from different visits. This facilitates a comprehensive analysis over time, enabling early detection and monitoring of any potential eye health concerns.

Different methods of retinal photography exist, each with its own distinct benefits. These methods include optical coherence tomography, fundus photography, and angiography. Your optometrist will carefully select the most appropriate imaging technique tailored to your specific eye and vision requirements, ensuring optimal accuracy and diagnostic capabilities.

What Can A Retinal Photograph Detect?

There are five common conditions that can be picked up by a retinal photograph, alongside others. These include:

Diabetic retinopathy
diabetic retinopathy arises when high blood sugar levels consistently damage the blood vessels in the retina, often affecting individuals with diabetes. In retinal photographs, diabetic retinopathy manifests through various symptoms, including swollen retinal veins, bleeding in the vitreous (the clear gel within the eye), the presence of new or abnormal blood vessels, and potential scar tissue or retinal detachment in advanced stages.

Hypertensive retinopathy
chronic hypertension, which is characterised by persistently high blood pressure, can lead to hypertensive retinopathy. Without proper treatment, this condition can progress and potentially cause vision loss. Indications of hypertensive retinopathy visible in retinal photographs encompass retinal exudates or fatty deposits, retinal bleeding, and the presence of white specks resembling cotton wool, which may suggest microstrokes.

Retinal tear and detachment
although this is more rare, retinal tears or complete detachment can occur, necessitating immediate medical attention as they can lead to vision loss. Retinal tears and detachments may be associated with various conditions, including age-related macular degeneration and eye injuries. Retinal photographs can exhibit signs of retinal damage or detachment such as grey discolouration of the retina, folded or detached areas of the retina, and twisted blood vessels.

Papilledema
papilledema refers to optic nerve swelling caused by increased pressure in the brain. It can be an indication of underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, eye or head injuries, encephalitis (brain inflammation), meningitis, stroke, or tumours in the eye or brain. Optometrists analyse retinal photographs to identify swollen optic nerves, bleeding near the optic nerve, and dilated or twisted blood vessels, which may suggest papilledema.

Optic atrophy
optic atrophy occurs when the optic nerve sustains damage, impeding the transmission of visual information from the eye to the brain. Multiple sclerosis, stroke, cranial arteritis, and brain tumours are among the medical conditions associated with optic atrophy, leading to gradual vision loss over time. Retinal photographs can disclose signs of optic atrophy, such as a pale white optic nerve, well-defined edges of the optic nerve, and normal veins alongside narrowed arteries.

Retinal Photography Available At The Optical Warehouse

It’s reassuring to know that many eye conditions and diseases can be detected in the very early stages before any noticeable symptoms occur, through retinal photography, which is included as part of our comprehensive eye examination with our qualified eye care professionals.  As well as retinal photography, a comprehensive exam may also include:

• Going through your personal and family health history, detailing when any concerning symptoms began, medications you’re taking, work and environmental factors, and more

• Visual acuity measurements using reading charts to assess exactly how clearly each eye can see

• Tests of your eye health which may include depth perception, colour vision, peripheral (side) vision and how your pupils respond to light

• Assessments to measure which power of lens you require to correct near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism

• Eye focusing, eye teaming and eye movement activities to examine how well your eyes focus, move and work together

• Measurement of the pressure within the eye.

• Fluorescein angiography to detect any abnormal blood vessel growth.

After your exam is completed, your eye care professional will be able to discuss your diagnosis and treatment plan options with you to protect your eye health, best correct your vision, if needed, and help give you the freedom to do the things you love.

We’re proud to offer targeted care for a wide range of conditions. Every treatment plan is designed uniquely for your needs, preferences, and to help optimise your quality of life. Our optometrist will also be able to refer you to an ophthalmologist, or eye doctor specialising in surgery, for more complex treatment, if needed.

To book your retinal photography as part of your comprehensive eye exam with one of our eye care professionals, contact one of your local Optical Warehouse clinics across Queensland here.

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What Happens During Short-Sightedness?

18/05/2023

Difficulty focusing your eyes on far-away objects such as oncoming traffic? TV seeming much blurrier than it used to be? Having to squint to try to read street signs, or recognise people in the distance? If you’ve said yes to several of these, then you may have what optometrists describe as myopia, better known as short-sightedness.

Currently, short-sightedness is the main cause of vision impairment worldwide, and it’s projected to affect nearly 50% of the world’s population by 2050.[1],[2] Much like farsightedness, short-sightedness is a type of refractive error where the light that enters the eye doesn’t focus properly – producing the changes and blurriness you’re experiencing. While nearby objects such as books and computers are still in perfect vision, objects in the distance become much harder to see, and you may start experiencing difficulties driving, learning at school or university, or even start experiencing recurring headaches due to the eyestrain.[3]

What Happens During Short-Sightedness?

In order for us to see objects in the distance clearly and without blurriness, our cornea (the clear and protective outer layer of the eye) and lens (the part of the eye that allows it to focus on objects at different distances, located towards the front of the eyeball) must work together to bend the light to focus directly on our retina at the back of the eye, which absorbs light to send visual information to the brain. In short-sightedness, the light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it, which can happen in two key ways:

  1. When the shape of the cornea or lens changes the way that light enters the eyeball, for example when the cornea is too steeply curved or the lens is too thin
  2. When the eyeball grows longer than normal from front to back

Why Have I Developed Short-Sightedness

Research has found that people are more susceptible to developing short-sightedness if other family members have had the condition, but the influence of genetics on short-sightedness is actually considered to be quite small – and there are a number of lifestyle and environmental factors that can make you more likely to develop the condition, especially at a younger age, including:[4]

Gender: Females have slightly higher rates of short-sightedness than males[5]

Age: People are most likely to develop short-sightedness as the shape of the eyes are still developing between the ages of 6 and 14 years, and this can continue to deteriorate until their early 20s.[6]

Limited light exposure: Children who spend more time outdoors are much less likely to develop short-sightedness. Scientists believe this is because the sun’s natural UV rays and vitamin D help the organs within the eye to release chemicals to encourage healthy growth and development [7],[8],[9]. Interestingly, studies have found that as little as one extra hour of sunlight a day can slow the progression of short-sightedness in children.[10],[11]

Near work: Children and adolescents who spend a lot of time on ‘near work’, such as reading, writing, sewing or devices have much higher rates of near-sightedness. One study found that school-aged children who spend 7 hours or more using screens per week can triple their risk for developing short-sightedness.[12]

Diabetes: Having diabetes can put you at greater risk.[13]

Treating Short-Sightedness

The most common treatments for myopia, or short-sightedness, involve corrective eyewear such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, which compensate for the abnormal shape of the cornea or lens, or the elongation of the eye, by altering the focus of incoming light. Following a painless comprehensive eye examination, your optometrist can prescribe and fit the appropriate lenses to help you achieve optimal vision. The strength of your lenses will be determined by your visual acuity, and depending on the results, you may need to wear corrective lenses all the time or only during certain activities such as driving.

In some cases, individuals may opt for laser eye surgery to correct myopia. If you have any concerns about your vision, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your local optometrist for a thorough eye examination to assess your eye health and visual acuity. Optometrists can manage a wide range of eye and vision concerns and can refer you to a recommended ophthalmologist if necessary to address serious eye concerns or to discuss surgical options.

Short-Sightedness Care At The Optical Warehouse

Correcting short-sightedness starts with a comprehensive examination with your Optical Warehouse optometrist across our Queensland clinics, who assesses your vision, identifies any problems or disturbances, and gets to know your lifestyle, work requirements and various other key factors that are all combined to give you an optimal lens prescription. Our team is meticulous in the way we work, paying careful attention to detail, and involving you in every aspect of your care and prescription, so you know exactly what you’re getting and how it will work to best support your vision.

No matter your concern, whether you’re experiencing shortsightedness, farsightedness or both, we’re here to help. To book your comprehensive eye exam with one of our experienced team members, contact one of your local Optical Warehouse clinics across Queensland here.

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The Symptoms and Causes of Retinal Detachment

15/05/2023

Retinal detachment is one of the conditions that our team of highly qualified eye care professionals diagnose and treat, as part of a wide range of eye conditions in patients of all ages on a daily basis. While some of the conditions we help manage may be less serious, others may indicate a more concerning underlying issue that warrants further investigation – which is the category into which retinal detachment falls into. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina peels away or detaches from the back of the eye, and is considered a medical emergency as it can lead to vision loss without urgent medical care.

Thankfully, approximately 83% of people with retinal detachment have 20/40 vision or better after treatment,[1] – which is why it’s so important to be able to recognise the symptoms promptly and quickly book in with your eye care professionals for diagnosis and treatment. Retinal detachment is not typically painful, so doesn’t ring the typical “alarm bells” as with other injuries. Here’s a look into what retinal detachment is, what symptoms to watch for, and how a regular comprehensive eye exam can detect early eye changes before symptoms appear.

What Is Retinal Detachment?

Your retina is a thin layer of light-sensitive nerve cells that lines the back of the inside of your eye. When light enters your eye, it focuses on the retina, which absorbs the light and sends visual information to your brain along the optic nerve.

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina detaches or pulls away from its normal position at the back of the eye, disrupting the transfer of visual information to the brain. This can cause a person’s ability to see to be affected, and if left untreated, can result in permanent vision loss.

Initially, only a small part of the retina may tear or peel off, but without care and treatment, the entire retina can become detached. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma to the eye, nearsightedness, previous cataract surgery, and other underlying health conditions.

Symptoms Of Retinal Detachment

A retinal detachment is generally not painful, and in the early stages, a retinal tear or detachment may not have any symptoms, or they may be so subtle that they’re unnoticeable until a person’s eyesight or eye health is assessed in an eye exam with an optometrist. Common symptoms may include:

A sudden increase in the numbers of floaters: floaters may appear as dots, circles, lines, squiggles or cobwebs in your vision, however they can take on almost any form, shape and size, and they may move quickly or remain quite still. Floaters form when clumps of cells or blood develop and ‘float’ in your vitreous, and cast a shadow on the retina.

A transparent grey curtain or dark shadow in your vision: as your retina detaches, a curtain or dark shadow may appear in your peripheral, or side vision, and gradually spread toward the centre of your field of vision.

Sudden, brief flashes of light: flashes happen when the vitreous pulls away from the retina and tugs on it, which results in small electrical signals being sent to the brain. The brain perceives these as short, small, flashes of light.

Causes Of Retinal Detachment

There are three types of retinal detachment, and each type is caused by different factors:

1. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

The predominant form of retinal detachment is referred to as rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. It occurs due to a tear, break or hole in the retina, enabling the vitreous fluid in the centre of the eye to pass through the opening and accumulate between the retina and the wall of the eye. This build-up eventually causes the retina to detach from its normal position at the back of the eyeball, resulting in vision loss if not treated promptly.

Diabetic retinopathy is a frequent cause of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. As a person ages, changes in the consistency of the vitreous in the eye may occur, leading to its contraction and resulting in the formation of a small tear in the retina. Other possible causes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment include eye injuries, eye surgery, and severe myopia or nearsightedness.

2. Exudative retinal detachment

Exudative retinal detachment, also known as secondary retinal detachment, is a type of retinal detachment that can occur without any tears, breaks or holes in the retina. This happens when fluid accumulates behind the retina, causing it to detach from the back of the eye.

The most common causes of exudative retinal detachment include leaking blood vessels or swelling in the back of the eye. These conditions can be triggered by a variety of factors such as eye injury or trauma, inflammation inside the eye, age-related macular degeneration, or rarely, tumours in the eye or Coats disease, which is a rare condition that causes abnormal development of blood vessels in the retina.

3. Tractional retinal detachment

Tractional retinal detachment happens when the retina is displaced from the back of the eye due to the presence of scar tissue pulling on it. The primary cause of tractional retinal detachment is also diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that affects people with diabetes by harming blood vessels in the retina, which can cause the growth of scar tissue. As the scar tissue grows, it can pull on the retina and cause it to detach. Other possible causes of tractional retinal detachment include eye infections, injuries, and certain eye diseases like retinal vasculitis, sickle cell retinopathy, uveitis, or proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Retinal Detachment Risk Factors

If you have any of the following risk factors, it’s important to get a comprehensive eye exam with a trusted eye care professional at least once every year, to monitor your eye health and pick up on changes before they are noticeable, and get you started on targeted treatment.

You are at an increased risk of retinal detachment if you have one or more of the following risk factors:

• Diabetes
• Aged over 50 years of age
• A family history of retinal detachment
• Severe short-sightedness
• Previous eye surgery e.g., cataract removal
• Eye injury or trauma
• Previous peripheral retinal degeneration or tears.
• Recurrent eye infections
• Other eye diseases

Concerned About Your Eye Health?

If you experience any symptoms of retinal detachment, it is important to contact your eye clinic immediately for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Even if you are not aware of any tears or detachment in your retina, having an eye exam can detect these changes in their earliest stages, before they progress to cause you symptoms. It is recommended to see an optometrist annually to monitor your vision and overall eye health, or more frequently if you notice any changes in your vision. During these appointments, your optometrist can assess the health of your eyes and rule out any serious issues, providing you with peace of mind and a clear plan for prompt treatment if necessary.

To book your comprehensive eye exam with one of our experienced team members, contact one of your local Optical Warehouse clinics across Queensland here.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551502/

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What Are The Causes And Symptoms Of Diabetic Retinopathy?

20/03/2023

Although diabetes is synonymous with abnormal blood sugar levels or insulin injections, living with diabetes can actually have a range of negative effects on various systems in your body, including your skin, nerves, kidneys, heart – and even your eyes. Specifically, diabetic retinopathy is a condition in which diabetes causes damage to the retina, a layer of tissue at the back of the eye, and is a leading cause of preventable vision loss around the world. In fact, up to one-third of all people with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy at some point.

One of the biggest challenges with diabetic retinopathy is that it often has no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. That’s why our eye care professionals recommend that anyone with diabetes receive a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year – and more often if they start noticing vision disturbances. In this case, early detection and treatment really can make a big difference in preserving your vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy: The Basics

To best understand diabetic retinopathy, it’s important to know some basics of the eye. The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye, and its job is to absorb light and transmit visual information to the brain. It has small blood vessels and a macula at its centre that processes central vision. The lens, located at the front of the eye, focuses on objects at varying distances by changing shape. The vitreous humour, a clear jelly-like fluid, fills the eyeball and maintains its shape.

In diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing them to bulge, leak blood and fluids, and eventually develop scar tissue. This damage can lead to the growth of new, fragile blood vessels in the retina and vitreous humour that may block vision and cause pressure on the optic nerve. As diabetic retinopathy worsens, it can also lead to the development of scar tissue at the retina, which ultimately leads to vision loss over time. Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy are critical in preventing this level of severe vision loss and blindness, with much diabetes-related vision loss being preventable.

Symptoms

During the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, most people with the condition do not experience any symptoms. It typically affects both eyes, and noticeable signs only appear when significant eye damage has already taken place. Therefore, it’s crucial for individuals with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels and receive regular comprehensive eye exams from a trusted eye care professional to monitor their eye health over time.

In its advanced stages, symptoms may include seeing floaters or spots, blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, an empty or dark spot at the centre of vision, trouble distinguishing colours, and loss of vision. If you notice any changes in your vision, such as seeing floaters, it’s important to seek prompt treatment from an experienced eye care professional as early intervention is critical to prevent further serious vision loss.

Causes

Diabetic retinopathy is primarily caused by type 1 or 2 diabetes, and the longer a person has diabetes, the higher the chances of developing the condition, particularly if the diabetes is not well-controlled. Other risk factors of diabetic retinopathy include age (55 years or older), obesity (BMI of 30 or over), gender (males have higher rates), medical conditions (such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol), and family history. Women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy or have preexisting diabetes and become pregnant should have a comprehensive eye exam to check for signs of retinopathy, which can worsen rapidly with the vascular and pressure changes during pregnancy. If you notice any changes in your vision, seek prompt treatment from an experienced eye care professional.

Detect Diabetic Retinopathy Early With A Comprehensive Eye Exam At The Optical Warehouse

Diabetic retinopathy can be detected in its early stages before any noticeable symptoms, through a comprehensive eye examination with a qualified eye care professional, which may include:

• Discussing your life, family and medical history to identify risk factors, vision difficulties, diabetes, and other health concerns that may affect your eye health.
• Visual acuity measurements to assess how much your vision has been affected.
• Refraction examinations to check if a new glasses or lens prescription is needed.
• Specialised assessments of the ocular structures, including a dilated pupil test to observe the health of the retina.
• Measurement of the pressure within the eye.
• Retinal photography or tomography to gather data and imaging on the health status of the retina.
• Fluorescein angiography to detect any abnormal blood vessel growth.

After your exam is completed, your optometrist will be able to discuss your diagnosis and treatment plan options with you to protect your eye health, best correct your eyesight, and help give you the freedom to do the things you love.

At The Optical Warehouse, our friendly optometrists offer targeted care for a wide range of conditions. Every treatment plan is designed uniquely for your needs, preferences, and to help optimise your quality of life. Our optometrist will also be able to refer you to an ophthalmologist, or eye doctor specialising in surgery, for more complex treatment, if needed.

Don’t delay treatment, get your eyes checked today. To get your eyes assessed and detect any early changes, contact us via your local Queensland clinic here.

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Common Eye Diseases And Vision Problems

20/03/2023

Our eye care professionals provide effective treatment and management strategies for a wide range of vision problems in patients of all ages. Whether you’re experiencing farsightedness, known as hyperopia, that causes close-up objects such as books or computer screens to appear blurry and out-of-focus, conjunctivitis (pink eye) that can cause itchiness and swelling, or dry eyes that can make your eyes sore and sensitive to light, we can help – and with a lot more, too.

Our optometrists use a range of advanced technology to detect changes to your vision and eye health early, and accurately differentiate between various conditions that may initially appear to have similar symptoms. Whether you require a regular eye exam, have been meaning to have a vision disturbance checked for some time, or are experiencing pain or discomfort in or around your eye, you’re in the right place with us.

Here are just a few of the many eye diseases and vision problems that our optometrists see and treat on a daily basis.

Cataracts

Cataracts are characterised by opaque patches that develop within the lens of the eye. They are prevalent in individuals over the age of 80 and can also occur in people who have been exposed to excessive UV rays, have a history of smoking, or suffer from diabetes. Initially, cataracts may not cause noticeable symptoms, but over time, you may experience a gradual decrease in vision clarity, colour desaturation, or blurred vision that makes it difficult to perform daily activities such as watching television. The good news is that cataracts can be removed effectively with surgery, which can not only restore your vision but also involve the insertion of an artificial lens into your eye. Early detection of cataracts is possible through a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist, allowing for timely intervention to help avoid your vision deteriorating.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the central vision, causing it to become blurry. This occurs when the macula, the central part of the retina that is responsible for our central vision, becomes damaged due to advancing age. AMD is a common cause of vision loss in people over 65 years old and is more prevalent in smokers. While it doesn’t cause complete blindness, it can make daily activities, such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces, difficult. As AMD may progress slowly without noticeable symptoms at first, it’s important to have regular eye exams to detect it early. This will allow your eye care professional to provide appropriate treatment, such as certain vitamins and minerals, injections, or laser treatments, to prevent further vision loss.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes affect people of all ages, making your eyes feel scratchy, sore, stinging and sensitive to light, or as if you have a speck of sand trapped in your eye. Dry eyes happen when your eyes don’t make enough tears to stay wet, or when your tears don’t work correctly, and contributing factors to this can include time spent staring at your phone or computer which reduces our blinking rate, exposure to smoke or dry air, wearing contact lenses, allergies, and even the ageing process. Certain medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and hormone replacement therapy can also cause or exacerbate dry eyes, alongside conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eyes, it is important to seek treatment from an eye care professional. They may recommend artificial tears, prescription eye drops, or lifestyle modifications such as taking regular breaks from screen time, increasing humidity in your environment, and wearing protective eyewear in windy or dusty conditions. By properly managing dry eyes, you can alleviate discomfort and prevent potential vision problems.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that can lead to vision loss and even blindness by damaging the optic nerve cells at the back of the eye that transmit visual information to the brain. Typically affecting people over 60 years of age, glaucoma is often asymptomatic at first, with up to 50% of sufferers unaware of the condition until detected during an eye exam by an optometrist.

If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to a loss of peripheral vision, and eventually complete blindness. While there is no cure, early treatment can often prevent further damage to the optic nerve and preserve vision using methods such as eye drops, medication, and surgery. The best way to diagnose glaucoma is through a comprehensive dilated eye exam performed by an experienced optometrist.

Colour Blindness

Colour blindness (colour impairment) occurs when your eyes perceive colours differently from others, often struggling to distinguish between red and green or blue and yellow shades. In some rare cases, those with complete colour blindness are unable to see any colour at all. Although this condition is hereditary and there is no complete cure, most are able to adapt and continue with their daily routine without significant impact. Optometrists can prescribe customised glasses or contact lenses to improve vision and colour detection if desired.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as pink eye, is an eye infection that can cause noticeable inflammation and redness in both the whites of the eye and the inner lining of the eyelid. It can also cause itching, pain, and a sticky discharge that may cause the eyelashes to stick together, especially upon waking in the morning.

Pink eye can be caused by various factors such as allergens like animals or pollen, bacteria, or viruses, and can be highly contagious. To prevent the spread of the infection to others, it’s crucial to practise good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and avoiding sharing personal items like towels, sunglasses, or makeup. Fortunately, most cases of pink eye resolve on their own, but some types may require specialised treatment from an optometrist. If the symptoms worsen, affect your vision, or cause pain, it is recommended to consult with an optometrist. It’s also important to seek immediate medical attention for babies suspected of having pink eye.

Flashes and Floaters

Flashes appear as bright specks in your vision that resemble light streaks, shooting stars, or camera flashes. Floaters refer to small dark shapes, such as spots, threads, squiggly lines, or cobwebs, that drift across your vision. As we age, it’s common to experience flashes and floaters intermittently, and they may not require medical attention. If you notice significant new floaters or flashes that appear suddenly and persist, see your optometrist as this could be indicative of a more severe eye condition.

Diabetic Retinopathy

If you have diabetes, you may be at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to vision loss and blindness by damaging the blood vessels in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy may not exhibit any symptoms in the early stages, which is why early detection through regular eye exams is key. Early treatment can aid in preventing further damage and improving your vision. To help protect your vision, aim to keep your diabetes under control by staying physically active, consuming a healthy diet, and adhering to your diabetic medication regimen. Our optometrists can help you locate treatments for more advanced cases, which may include laser therapy or surgery.

Pterygium (Fleshy Growth)

A pterygium, which is pronounced “te-ridge-e-um”, is a growth of vascular and fleshy tissue that typically has a triangular shape and appears in the corner of the eye. It often develops from prolonged exposure to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) light, which makes it more prevalent in individuals who live in sunny areas or those who frequently spend time outdoors such as farmers, skiers, and fishermen. While it grows slowly over time, it can eventually cover a large part of the eye and cause symptoms such as burning, itching, and watery eyes, which are typical of dry eyes. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the pterygium and alleviate these symptoms.

Refractive Errors

A refractive error is a type of vision problem that occurs when the eye’s shape prevents light from focusing directly on the back of the eye, resulting in blurry vision and other problems. This can make it hard to see clearly, it includes issues such as near-sightedness, long-sightedness, and lazy eye.

For many people, the changes to their vision occur so gradually over time, that they often don’t notice it happening – and so don’t realise that they need optical care or that their eyesight isn’t as good as it could be. This is why regular comprehensive eye exams are so important to maintain your vision and pick up on issues as soon as they arise.

There are five common types of refractive errors:

• Nearsightedness (myopia) – makes far-away objects look blurry
• Farsightedness (hyperopia) – makes nearby objects look blurry
• Astigmatism – can make both far-away and nearby objects look blurry or distorted
• Mature vision (presbyopia) – affects those in their early to mid-40s and older, making it difficult to see things up close
• Amblyopia (lazy eye) – occurs in infancy or early childhood, and usually affects one eye. Symptoms can include a wandering eye or eyes that may not appear to work together

Retinal Detachment

A retinal detachment occurs when the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of your eye, known as the retina, is pulled away from its usual position. Symptoms may not be apparent, but sudden changes in vision, such as new floaters, flashes of light, or a dark shadow or curtain in your field of vision, may be present. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency, and immediate attention from an optometrist or the emergency room is crucial if you experience any symptoms.

UV Damage

The cells in our eyes can be easily damaged by UV radiation from the sun, screens, or indoor lighting, similar to our skin. This can cause harm to the retina and lens, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, or blurry vision. While mild cases may heal on their own, repeated exposure can increase the risk of eye and eyelid cancers, cataracts, and other conditions. It is recommended to have an eye exam and order UV-blocking or blue light sunglasses from your optometrist to prevent such damage. Custom-built options are available for both adults and children.

No matter your concern, we’re here to help. To book your comprehensive eye exam with one of our experienced team members, contact one of your local Optical Warehouse clinics across Queensland here.

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What Are The Causes And Symptoms Of Cataracts?

22/12/2022

Cataracts are the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide,[1] and a condition that our eye care professionals see frequently in our Optical Warehouse centres in Queensland. Cataracts are a type of vision disturbance that causes the natural lens within the eye to become cloudy and blurry. This cloudiness restricts the amount of light that reaches the retina in your eye, therefore affecting your vision.

While most cataracts are related to ageing and are treated in older adults, children and young adults can develop them too, either from birth or due to other medical or genetic conditions, injuries, or even certain medications. Here’s what you should know about cataracts, their symptoms, and their causes from our eye care professionals.

What Do Cataracts Feel Like?

In the initial stages of cataracts, you may not have any noticeable symptoms in your daily vision. The nature of cataracts is progessive, meaning that over time, a cataract may grow larger and affect more of the lens, making it harder for you to see.

Some people only develop a cataract in one eye, though many people will eventually develop them in both eyes. You may experience:

• Cloudy vision: your vision may appear slightly blurry as if you are looking through a camera that needs to be focused, and this can worsen over time

• Light sensitivity: cataracts can make glare or bright lights uncomfortable or even painful

• Halos: when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy, it’s difficult for light to enter it and reach your retina. Light may enter at the edges and make it appear as if light sources such as oncoming car lights or street lights have halos surrounding them – yet another reason why driving in the dark with cataracts can be dangerous.

• Faded colours: colours may appear faded or less vibrant, as the white shade of the cataracts can dull their vibrancy

• Yellow or brown tinges: as cataracts progress, the clumps of crystallins can develop a yellow or even brown hue, which can result in everything you see being tinted yellow, as if you are wearing coloured sunglasses, changing your colour perception and preventing you from seeing the difference between different colours

• Needing stronger glasses: if you find yourself feeling like you need stronger contact lenses or glasses to see clearly, you may have developed cataracts, so purchasing a stronger pair of glasses from the supermarket won’t resolve the issue

• Double vision: as light cannot enter the eyeball easily, it can result in double vision, or seeing two or more visions of a certain object

How Do Cataracts Develop?

While it may feel like a cloudy coating on the outside of the eyeball, cataracts actually occur when there is a problem within the lens of your eye. The lens of the eye, also known medically as the crystalline lens, is an essential part of the eye that allows it to focus on objects at different distances. It is located towards the front of the eyeball, and resembles a deflated ball, and is clear and transparent, to allow light to enter the eye. The role of the lens is to focus light to create the sharp images that we see. It’s very flexible, so it can change shape: it can stretch and thin out when focusing on distant objects, or shrink and thicken when focusing on near objects. This movement can bend the light to focus properly on the retina, a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the inside of your eye, that absorbs the light that comes into your eye, and sends this visual information to your brain along the optic nerve. The lens is made up almost entirely of lens fibres and known as crystallines

Cataracts can form within the lens of your eye and prevent light rays travelling through your lens to the retina in two key ways. Most cataracts form when the fibreswithin the lens become hardened as a natural result of ageing, and as a result, the central part of the lens, known as the nucleuscan become compressed, which is known medically as nuclear sclerosis. Alongside hardening fibres, the crystalline proteins in the lens can begin to break down and clump together, and take on a yellow or even brown colour, making the lens less transparent and blocking light rays from entering the eyeball

Are You At Risk Of Cataracts?

While the majority of cataracts cases our eye care professionals see are linked to ageing, other factors that may put you at risk include:[1]

• High amounts of sun exposure to the eyes without adequate protection
• A family history of cataracts
• Having a history of eye injury
• Having had eye surgery
• Prior radiation therapy on their upper body
• Steroids for conditions such as arthritis or asthma
• Previous eye inflammation
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking or a high intake of alcohol
• A deficiency in particular certain vitamins such as lutein, zeaxanthin or zinc

A number of health conditions can also increase your risk of developing cataracts, including:[2]

• High blood pressure, obesity or diabetes
• Dermatitis
• Myotonic dystrophy
• Type 2 neurofibromatosis
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Chronic anterior uveitis
• Myopia (nearsightedness)

Early Detection Can Best Support Your Eye Health With Cataracts

Early detection is the key to identifying and treating cataracts before they worsen and impact your quality of life. If you’re noticing the symptoms of cataracts and are concerned, or want to rule out anything more serious, then start with an appointment with your optometrist here at the Optical Warehouse. Cataracts can be detected in the earliest stages during one of our eye exams. Your eye care professional will work with you to assess the health of your eyes and rule out something more serious, giving you assurance and peace of mind – or forming a clear pathway to treat the underlying problem promptly.

To get your eyes assessed and detect any early changes, contact us via your local Queensland clinic here.

[1] https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539699/

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