Archives for Eye diseases

OCT Machines and their role in eye health

At John O’Connor Optometrists, a new high-tech machine is helping us protect and improve Aucklanders’ eye health. Our OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) machine helps our optometrists spot eye diseases and conditions early, so they can treat them before they worsen. And that’s got to be good! What is an OCT Machine? An OCT machine uses light waves to take detailed pictures of the different layers of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. It’s like an ultrasound, but instead of sound waves, it uses light waves so we can see what’s going on inside your eye
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Categories: Eye Conditions and Eye Health.

Catching Glaucoma Symptoms Early

See us straight away If at any time you suffer from symptoms, such as ‘fogs’ and pressure in either eye, flashes, headaches or loss of vision, please see one of our experienced team immediately and we will carry out a comprehensive assessment of your eyes. Spotting glaucoma symptoms early can make the world of difference to your sight. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is no laughing matter. It is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, but early diagnosis and modern treatment mean glaucoma can be well managed. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and leads to vision loss. The pressure inside
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Categories: Eye Health and Eye Tests.

Treatment for dry eye

Do you suffer from dry eye syndrome? Horrible, isn’t it? Treatment for dry eye includes cleansing, massage and heat and our team can help improve your outlook on life. Dry eye syndrome is a debilitating, common condition. Although it can develop at any age, it is more common amongst older people. The good news is that it can be easily treated. Help for dry eyes Our Auckland optometrists specialise in treatment for dry eye. Between our Henderson Optometry practice and our optometrists in Newmarket our staff has dedicated over 35 years’ helping dry eye sufferers. We offer an effective in-house
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Categories: Eye Conditions and Eye Health.

Glasses after cataract surgery?

Cataracts are the most common cause of blindness A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye that, sadly, is an inevitable consequence of getting older. If your vision is a bit cloudy when you’re watching television, your eyes are sensitive to light and glare, colours are a bit odd, or oncoming headlights have a “halo” around them, it is possible you have cataracts on your eyes. Cataracts cause a progressive, painless loss of vision and are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. 5,000 out of 100,000 people aged 52–62 are affected by cataracts. 46% of people aged
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Categories: Eye Health.

Keeping An Eye On Age-related Macular Degeneration

What is ARMD? Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss for people over 50, making it an extremely common eye condition. Basically, the macula is tiny and the most sensitive part of the retina and its job is to keep our central vision sharp and accurate. The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the inside of the eye, near the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain. The retina turns light into electrical signals and then sends these electrical signals through the optic nerve, where the brain
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Categories: Eye Conditions and Eye Health.

What Is A Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye that, sadly, is an inevitable consequence of getting older. Cataracts usually occur when normal proteins in the lens of the eye break down and clump together, clouding the lens. Because the lens is no longer as clear as it should be, rather than following a usual path, incoming light is scattered. The cataract or cloudy lens blocks the passage of light to the retina in the back of the eye, causing distorted or blurred vision, issues with glare and difficulty handling bright light . Basically, a cataract is a
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Categories: Eye Conditions.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Frequently asked questions about dry eye Do your eyes feel sore or watery? Does reading or computer work make your eyes feel gritty and scratchy? If so, you may have dry eye syndrome. Ever suffer from symptoms such as: Eyes feeling gritty Sensitivity to light Sore, stingy or burning eyes Blurred vision Eye redness Watery eyes Tired eyes? Eyes that are not properly protected by tears are vulnerable to dust, debris, and bacteria, leading to eye infections. Dry eye syndrome affects many people, and although it can develop at any age, it is more common amongst older people. Up to
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Categories: Eye Conditions and Eye Health.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

Facts About AMD AMD causes damage to the macula and can gradually destroy your central, sharp vision. AMD, or age related macular degeneration, is a common eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss among people age 55 and older. It is the most common cause of legal blindness in this age group. (Legal blindness means that a person can see 6/60 or less with glasses.)  The macula is made up of millions of light-sensing cells. It is the most sensitive part of the retina and is smaller than the size of a pinhead. The macula allows us to make
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Categories: Eye Conditions and Eye Health.

Treating Dry Eyes

Are your eyes dry, red, irritated or watering? You may be one of the many New Zealanders who suffer from dry eye syndrome. Dry eye is a debilitating, common condition, particularly in older adults. The two most common causes of dry eye are oil glands getting clogged and inflamed or glands not producing enough lubricating tears. Tear production tends to diminish with age or as a side effect of certain medications. Environmental conditions, such as wind, air-conditioning, smoke, dust, dry heat and low humidity, can also affect tear volume. Intense concentration associated with close or computer work, which affects blink
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Categories: Eye Conditions and Eye Health.

Blepharitis Treatment

Treating Blepharitis This is a stubborn eye disorder requiring  systematic, on-going treatment; not only to eliminate redness and irritation but to prevent further blepharitis outbreaks. Blepharitis symptoms are similar to other more serious eye diseases, which is why it is vital that you get a professional diagnosis of your condition from one of our optometrists. If you do suffer from blepharitis it is very important you understand the type you have so we can provide the correct blepharitis treatment. The most common form, seborrhea blepharitis, is caused by small oil glands on the eyelid becoming clogged, causing waxy, greasy scales
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Categories: Eye Health and Eye Tests.