Seniors' Health topics
Eye health for seniors
Follow the links below to more information about eye health for seniors.
Glaucoma linked with car accidents
People with glaucoma are 4 times more likely to have a car accident than Australians with normal vision, an ophthalmologist warns.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition where the front surface of the eye (the cornea) or the lens inside the eye is irregularly shaped and can cause blurred vision.
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens that focuses light inside the eye.
Cataracts
Cataracts - opaqueness (cloudiness) in the lens of the eye - are almost inevitable with age but can also be caused by excessive sunlight, diabetic complications and injury.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye's conjunctiva and may be contagious.
Diabetes and your eyes
If you have diabetes, you are at risk of vision loss from diabetes retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetes affects the small vessels of the retina. Early diagnosis of the disease should lead to the prevention of serious vision loss.
Eyelid and eyelash problems
Common eye problems include inflammation and infection of the eyelids and eyelashes, also called blepharitis and styes. Find out what products are available for eyelid and eyelash problems.
Eyelids
Find out more about eyelid problems, including entropion and ectropion, which are quite common in older people.
Eyesight problems: when you need glasses
Many people with normal eyesight may need reading glasses some time after the age of 40.
Floaters: tiny particles in the eye
Floaters are tiny particles of matter suspended in the jelly-like fluid which fills most of the inside of the eyeball.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve which, if left untreated, eventually causes loss of vision.
Glaucoma: a common cause of blindness
Glaucoma, one of the most common causes of blindness, is due to an increase in the pressure of the fluid which circulates inside our eyes.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disease in which degenerative processes take place in the most sensitive part of the retina.
Macular Degeneration Awareness Week
Macular Degeneration Awareness Week aims to increase knowledge about the symptoms of macular degeneration and the importance of early treatment
Macular degeneration risk lower with regular fish intake
Women who consume one or more servings of fish weekly have a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a study has found.
Retinopathy in diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the retina become swollen or new tiny blood vessels grow that block the retina.
Sore eyes
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of sore eyes. Read about the causes, symptoms and treatment of conjunctivitis, and symptoms that indicate a more serious eye problem.
Stye
A stye (sty) or hordeolum is an infection of a follicle or gland at the base of an eyelash.
Sun protection with sunglasses
Experts recommend wearing sunglasses whenever the light is bright enough to make you squint, to help prevent cataracts and other eye damage.
Tears
Tears are important for protecting, lubricating and cleaning the eyes; common problems are a watery eye due to a blocked tear duct, and dry eye due to reduced tear production.
People with glaucoma are 4 times more likely to have a car accident than Australians with normal vision, an ophthalmologist warns.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition where the front surface of the eye (the cornea) or the lens inside the eye is irregularly shaped and can cause blurred vision.
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens that focuses light inside the eye.
Cataracts
Cataracts - opaqueness (cloudiness) in the lens of the eye - are almost inevitable with age but can also be caused by excessive sunlight, diabetic complications and injury.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye's conjunctiva and may be contagious.
Diabetes and your eyes
If you have diabetes, you are at risk of vision loss from diabetes retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetes affects the small vessels of the retina. Early diagnosis of the disease should lead to the prevention of serious vision loss.
Eyelid and eyelash problems
Common eye problems include inflammation and infection of the eyelids and eyelashes, also called blepharitis and styes. Find out what products are available for eyelid and eyelash problems.
Eyelids
Find out more about eyelid problems, including entropion and ectropion, which are quite common in older people.
Eyesight problems: when you need glasses
Many people with normal eyesight may need reading glasses some time after the age of 40.
Floaters: tiny particles in the eye
Floaters are tiny particles of matter suspended in the jelly-like fluid which fills most of the inside of the eyeball.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve which, if left untreated, eventually causes loss of vision.
Glaucoma: a common cause of blindness
Glaucoma, one of the most common causes of blindness, is due to an increase in the pressure of the fluid which circulates inside our eyes.
Macular degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disease in which degenerative processes take place in the most sensitive part of the retina.
Macular Degeneration Awareness Week
Macular Degeneration Awareness Week aims to increase knowledge about the symptoms of macular degeneration and the importance of early treatment
Macular degeneration risk lower with regular fish intake
Women who consume one or more servings of fish weekly have a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a study has found.
Retinopathy in diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the retina become swollen or new tiny blood vessels grow that block the retina.
Sore eyes
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of sore eyes. Read about the causes, symptoms and treatment of conjunctivitis, and symptoms that indicate a more serious eye problem.
Stye
A stye (sty) or hordeolum is an infection of a follicle or gland at the base of an eyelash.
Sun protection with sunglasses
Experts recommend wearing sunglasses whenever the light is bright enough to make you squint, to help prevent cataracts and other eye damage.
Tears
Tears are important for protecting, lubricating and cleaning the eyes; common problems are a watery eye due to a blocked tear duct, and dry eye due to reduced tear production.
