Symptoms
Learn about common symptoms and when to seek professional advice.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision is a very common symptom. If the blurred vision can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or laser refractive surgery this is known as refractive error.
Those over the age of 40 may find increasing trouble reading. This is known as presbyopia and can be corrected with reading glasses.
Intermittent blurred vision, often associated with watery or stinging eyes is a common symptom of dry eyes.
If blurred vision cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, it may be due to a more serious eye problem.
Distorted Vision
Distortion of central vision makes objects appear bent or crooked. It is most noticeable when looking at objects that are normally straight. Distortion most commonly occurs in the presence of diseases of the macula including epiretinal membrane, macular hole, or age-related macular degeneration. Distortion may also be due to corneal disease such as keratoconus.
Sudden Loss of Vision
Sudden loss of vision is an emergency. It can be due to eye conditions such as central retinal artery occlusion, retinal detachment, giant cell arteritis or neurological problems such as a stroke.
Floaters
Floaters are small grey or dark spots or streaks in the vision caused by clumps in the vitreous gel. Many people are aware of long-standing harmless floaters in their vision that are most noticeable when looking at white/bright backgrounds or at the sky. These are known as physiological floaters.
A more sudden onset of floaters may occur due to posterior vitreous detachment, retinal tears, vitreous haemorrhage or uveitis. These pathological floaters are often more numerous, darker or larger than physiological floaters.
Flashes (photopsiae)
Flashes are brief bright “sparks” of light seen in the affected eye lasting a split second. They can be compared to seeing lightning during a storm or a camera flash. They are triggered by eye movements and best seen in the dark. They occur due to stimulation of the retina most often due to pulling on the retina by the vitreous gel in the eye but can also be caused by other retinal problems. They can be associated with posterior vitreous detachment or retinal tears.
Glare
Glare can be a manifestation of refractive error but can also be due to eye conditions such as cataract or keratoconus.
Watery Eyes
A watery eye is like an overflowing kitchen sink – there are 2 possible reasons:
- The drainage is either narrow or blocked
- The tap is turned on too much and overwhelms the normal drainage (e.g. watery eyes when cutting an onion)
Watery eyes most commonly occur as a response to dry eyes. If using over the counter lubricating drops does not alleviate the symptoms it may indicate other problems, including eyelid malposition (such as entropion or ectropion), or nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Red Eye
Red eyes can be a manifestation of a number of eye problems including but not limited to:
- Dry eye
- Allergic eye disease
- Subconjunctival haemorrhage
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal infection
- Foreign body
- Conjunctivitis
- Eyelid disorders
- Pterygium or pinguecula
- Uveitis
- Angle-closure glaucoma
Eye conditions we treat
Explore the range of eye conditions we can help manage and treat for better vision and eye health.