WAITANGI WEEKEND:
WE WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY, 06 FEB & SATURDAY 08 FEB. REOPEN MONDAY 10 FEB, 9.00-5.00
EYE CARE
Eye Care Advice
Want to know more about our professional eye care solutions? The team at Eden Quarter Optometrist have years of practical and dedicated experience working with eyes, and have a strong academic knowledge, based in years of training in university.
Explore our eye care information below so that you can garner a better understanding of your eyes and explore just how easy it can be to have perfect and seamless vision with the team at Eden Quarter Optometrist!
Keep your eyes in check
We take the health of your eyes seriously. That’s why we recommend you have your eyes tested every 18 months to 2 years.
Our comprehensive eye examinations test for not only changes in your vision but also various eye conditions.
The following is some helpful information on your eyes and eye conditions.
How your eye works
Your eye works like a camera. The front of your eye, the cornea, iris, pupil and lens focus the image onto the retina which lines the inside of your eye.
The retina is sensitive to light and acts like the film in a camera, capturing images and then sending them via the optic nerve to your brain where the images are intercepted.
Back to menu
The retina is sensitive to light and acts like the film in a camera, capturing images and then sending them via the optic nerve to your brain where the images are intercepted.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye condition that often involves pressure in the eye and damage to the optic nerve. Left untreated, glaucoma can cause loss of sight in just a few years. Glaucoma cannot be prevented but it can be detected before vision loss occurs. If detected and treated early, the disease can be controlled. You have an increased risk of
glaucoma if you:
Back to menu
- have a family history of glaucoma
- are older than 40
- have near-sightedness (myopia)
- have diabetes
- have high blood pressure
- have a history of migraines
- use cortisone or steroids
- have a previous eye injury
Symptoms: usually none except vision loss.
In a few cases glaucoma will develop rapidly with:
- blurred vision
- loss of side vision
- seeing coloured halos around lights
- redness of the eye
- nausea or vomiting
- pain in the eye
Treatment: If detected early, glaucoma can be managed and further loss of vision prevented by drops or, in some cases, surgery.
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. Most cataracts are related to ageing and therefore are very common in older people. The density of a cataract can range from a mild clouding that isn’t noticed at all to a visually blinding opaque lens.
It is normal to see a small degree of cataract in most eyes over the age of 60. When the vision impairment caused by the cataract begins to inconvenience your normal lifestyle, you may need cataract removal surgery. The surgery is in most cases a safe and effective procedure. You have an increased risk of cataracts if you:
Back to menu
It is normal to see a small degree of cataract in most eyes over the age of 60. When the vision impairment caused by the cataract begins to inconvenience your normal lifestyle, you may need cataract removal surgery. The surgery is in most cases a safe and effective procedure. You have an increased risk of cataracts if you:
- have a family history of glaucoma
- - are older than 45
- are a smoker
- are a heavy user of alcohol
- are exposed to air pollution
Diabetic retinopathy
One of the most distressing and difficult complications of diabetes is reduced vision. Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable blindness in the adult population. Diabetes causes changes in the cells of the retina that result in weakness in the walls of the blood vessels. These tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye begin to bulge and leak, oozing blood into the eye. Cellular changes can also cause fats and fluid to leak into surrounding tissue. Resulting damage to the eyes can lead to permanent loss of vision.
The early signs of diabetic retinopathy are quite common amongst those with diabetes. Often, these changes are minor (non sight threatening) but require regular monitoring and their presence means special attention should be given to blood glucose control and treatment of other medical conditions such as blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels. If you have diabetes, you need to have your eyes examined regularly.
Back to menu
The early signs of diabetic retinopathy are quite common amongst those with diabetes. Often, these changes are minor (non sight threatening) but require regular monitoring and their presence means special attention should be given to blood glucose control and treatment of other medical conditions such as blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels. If you have diabetes, you need to have your eyes examined regularly.
Age related macular degeneration
ARMD is a condition that tends to become more common as people get older. It is the leading cause of severe vision loss among the elderly and approximately 25-30% of those aged over 75 show some signs of ARMD. As our eyes age, the retina (the light sensitive tissue lining the inner surface of the eyeball) starts to deteriorate, making clear vision difficult. This is particularly true for the macula, the portion of the retina which is responsible for your central vision. Good central vision is necessary for common daily tasks such as reading, recognizing facial features, interpreting different colours and driving. You have an increased risk of ARMD if you:
Back to menu
- have a family history of ARMD
- - light complexion and high levels of exposure to bright sunlight
- have a history of heart disease or lung infection
- have a history of smoking
Save our sight
If you would like to know more about the conditions above and your eyes, go to the NZAO (New Zealand Association of Optometrists) Save
Our Sight website. http://saveoursight.co.nz
Back to menu
