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Causes of Poor Vision
The eye works in a manner similar to a camera where the lens bends rays of light to focus them on the retina at the back of the eye just as the lens in a camera focuses the light on the film. The concept of light being focussed and thrown onto the back of the eye (the retina) is referred to as refraction, hence the term you will see often is 'refractive error'.
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Refractive Errors
Refractive errors are a normal physiological variation in the focusing power of the eye. Many people have minor refractive errors which do not interfere with their vision and they do not need glasses.
Normal vision is like this =>
Myopia - Short Sightedness
Short sightedness or myopia is the most common refractive error. Patients with this condition cannot see in the distance but can focus on objects at a short distance, hence the term short sighted.
Myopia is like this =>
Notice: the focus is in front of the rear of the eyeball where the image is formed. 
Learn more about the treatments available
Hypermetropia - Long Sightedness
Long sighted or hypermetropic patients usually have good distance vision when young but as they become older they experience increasing difficulty both with distance and near vision. Once they can no longer see to read they have the condition known as presbyopia, where the eye loses the ability to change focus to see close objects resulting in the need for reading glasses.
Hypermetropia is like this =>
Notice: the focus is in behind the rear of the eyeball where the image is formed. Learn more about the treatments available
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is where there is a difference in the focal power between the horizontal and the vertical planes of the eyes focusing system. Astigmatism can be either or long sighted or short sighted and it causes blurring both in the distance and when focusing on close objects. An eye with an astigmatism is shaped more like a rugby football than a soccer ball which is round and which does not have any astigmatism. Learn more about the treatments available
Cataract
A cataract is a cloudiness or opacification in the lens of the eye. The eye works in a manner similar to a camera where the lens bends rays of light to focus them on the retina at the back of the eye just as the lens in a camera focuses the light on the film. The most common cause of a cataract is normal ageing changes but trauma, inflammation in the eye and some diseases can also cause cataracts.
Cataracts will usually slowly progress causing increased blurriness and glare intolerance, which may affect the patients' ability to drive at night.
As cataracts are such a significant part of many people's lives Dr Delaney has more detailed information on cataracts and their treatment
Learn more about cataracts
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a painless condition in which the pressure inside the eye is raised, causing damage to the optic nerve resulting in visual field loss leading to tunnel vision if left untreated. Glaucoma is common and is present in 3% of the population over the age of 50. A family history is important as there is a greater chance of developing glaucoma if a close relative has had glaucoma. Once detected glaucoma can be treated using drops to reduce the pressure in the eye, this usually stabilises the condition preventing further visual loss. Over the age of 40 it is advisable to have glaucoma screening every few years. Learn more about the treatments available
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in Australia affecting one in seven people over the age of 50. There are two types of macular degeneration. The first one is the dry form which results in a gradual loss of central vision over many years. The wet form produces sudden visual loss which may be severe, it is caused by abnormal blood vessels growing into the retina.
There is no cure for this condition but treatment is now available which can reduce its severity or slow the speed of onset. There is a greater risk of developing macular degeneration if a patient has a positive family history or is a smoker. Learn more about the treatments available
Diabetic Eye Disease
Patients with diabetes can have visual loss due to the diabetes damaging the micro-circulation in the retina. Poor control of the diabetes is the main cause of this condition known as diabetic retinopathy. The onset of diabetic eye disease is usually slow and gradual, but once it is established and if it is severe patients can have sudden and permanent loss of vision due to a haemorrhage in the retina. Patients with diabetes should be seen every 1-2 years depending on their type of diabetes and the level of control. Learn more about the treatments available
Pterygium
A pterygium is a superficial growth of scar tissue originating from the conjunctiva and growing over the front clear part of the eye, the cornea. It usually occurs on the inner, nasal side of the eye. It is a protective healing response by the eye as the result of exposure to UV light from the sun, producing a growth of wing shaped scar tissue which gives the condition its name. Pterygium is the Greek word for wing. Pterygia often produce a red, inflamed eye and if it continues to grow onto the cornea it can be surgically removed. Learn more about the treatments available
Dr M. Delaney