Category: Eye Conditions

Sometimes when viewing the optic nerve, it doesn’t look defined with nice, healthy neural retinal rims.   There is not always a need to panic in these situations.  Optic nerve anomalies can be harmless or they may significantly affect the vision.  This article aims to summarise the main anomalies and diseases of the optic nerve. …

A retinal detachment is defined as the separation of the sensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium by subretinal fluid (J.J, Kanski).   This article aims to explain the risk factors, causes, symptoms and treatment of a retinal detachment. Symptoms As Optometrists, we all know that when a patient presents with flashes, floaters or a …

Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the definition for  damage caused at the macular.  The macular is located in the central area of the retina and is responsible for detailed vision.  Therefore, damage to this area can cause profound vision loss and significantly affect a person’s quality of life.   Age is the main risk …

Diabetic retinopathy is a term used to describe retinal damage that results from diabetes. The condition may result in visual loss. Around 20% of patients with newly diagnosed diabetes show some signs of retinopathy. However, the longer the patient has diabetes, the higher the chance of developing retinopathy. How does it happen? Patients with diabetes …

Glaucoma is best defined as death of the optic nerve head (ONH) or more technically, progressive optic neuropathy.  The optic nerve is the nerve that travels into the back of the eye and goes across the retinal surface.  The ONH allows the signals from the retina to be taken back to the brain. There are …

This article aims to highlight all the most important things to look for when trying to diagnose cranial muscle palsies. There are 14 cranial nerves in the brain.  However, there are only three that supply the eye muscles.  They include: Cranial nerve 3 – Called the Oculomotor Nerve and comes off the brain stem Cranial …

  A cataract is simply defined as a haze or clouding of the natural crystalline lens of the eye.  They are very common and in the western world, are the most common cause of vision loss in the over 40s. The natural crystalline lens mainly consists of water and protein. It is made up of …