Patient Education

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, most often related to ageing. As the lens clouds over, light has a harder time reaching the retina, leading to blurry or dim vision.

Common signs:

• Blurry, cloudy or dim vision
• Increased sensitivity to glare, especially at night while driving
• Colours appearing faded or yellowed
• Frequent changes in your glasses or contact lens prescription

Cataract surgery — removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) — is a routine outpatient procedure once the cataract begins affecting your daily life. See our Cataract service for the surgical technology we use.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually linked to raised pressure inside the eye. It's a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide, and early stages often have no noticeable symptoms.

• Regular eye pressure and optic nerve checks are the best way to catch it early, especially after age 40 or with a family history
• Untreated glaucoma can gradually reduce side (peripheral) vision before central vision is affected
• Treatment options include eye drops, laser therapy and surgery, aimed at controlling eye pressure and preventing further damage

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy happens when prolonged high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina. It's one of the most common causes of vision loss among working-age adults with diabetes.

• People with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year, even without symptoms
• Early stages may cause no visible symptoms at all — regular screening is essential
• Advanced stages can cause blurred or fluctuating vision, dark spots (floaters), or sudden vision loss and need prompt treatment

Refractive Errors (Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism)

Refractive errors occur when the shape of your eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina, causing blurred vision. The most common types are myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness) and astigmatism.

• Correctable with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery such as LASIK depending on suitability
• A comprehensive eye exam determines your exact prescription and treatment options

Dry Eye

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears, or produce poor-quality tears, leading to discomfort. It's increasingly common with prolonged screen use, air conditioning and ageing.

• Common signs include a gritty or burning sensation, redness, and blurry vision that improves with blinking
• Simple measures like the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds) and lubricating drops can help mild cases
• Persistent or severe dry eye should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out underlying causes

Children's Eye Health & Squint

Early vision screening in children helps catch conditions like squint (strabismus) and lazy eye (amblyopia) while they're most treatable — early childhood, while the visual system is still developing.

• Watch for a visibly misaligned eye, head tilting to see better, or a child sitting unusually close to the TV or books
• Routine vision screening is recommended even without obvious symptoms

General Eye Care Tips

• Get a comprehensive eye exam regularly, even without symptoms — many conditions develop gradually and painlessly
• Wear UV-protective sunglasses outdoors to reduce long-term risk of cataract and other sun-related eye damage
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule during long screen sessions to reduce digital eye strain
• Never rub your eyes vigorously, and remove eye makeup and contact lenses before sleeping
• Keep diabetes and blood pressure well controlled, as both directly affect eye health
• Seek immediate care for sudden vision loss, eye pain, flashes of light, or a sudden increase in floaters