There are several common eye diseases in all age groups, below are some of the most common eye problems:

• In children: blocked tear ducts, turn in the eyes (crossed eyes) and conjunctivitis.
• In young adults: allergic eye disease, conjunctivitis, chalazions.
• In older patients: cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration and floaters.
• In ALL age groups: refractive error (need to wear glasses).
• Most general ophthalmologists would see patients over the age of 50 or 60.

Therefore, the most common eye diseases are cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration and floaters.

How Often Should You Have an Eye Examination

Who should I get eyes tested for common eye diseases? Well, probably everyone over the age of 45 should have an eye examination by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist every 2 years. However, if there are risk factors or symptoms, then more often is needed. For example, if there is a family history of glaucoma, if you have diabetes, or if you have a poor diet or smoke, then you should have your eyes examined every year.

Can anything be done about these conditions? Absolutely!

That’s the reason we should have regular eye tests. Apart from anything, we live in an era of ‘preventative’ medicine. We try and prevent these eye diseases from setting in.

The other side of it is that we can treat all of them. The earlier we catch them, the less involved is the treatment and the more successful the results.

Cataracts Removal Procedures

Cataract removal procedures are much quicker and safer these days then they have ever been. Not only can cataracts be removed but people can be made to be a lot less spectacle dependent with the procedure.

Glaucoma Treatment

Medications to treat glaucoma have come along way. Now, drops with minimal side effects, often which only need to be used once or twice a day, usually control the condition.

I’m a fan of laser called SLT: this is an alternative to drops in mild cases of glaucoma and takes away the need to remember to put the drops in.

Macular Degeneration Treatment

Macular degeneration can be treated with medications placed into the eye.

Treating Floaters with Laser

Something not too many people know about is the treatment of floaters with laser. There are many people out there that have floaters but are told they don’t require treatment. It IS true that treatment is not essential. However, if they are a real bother then treatment that’s non surgical and very safe is now available.

Summary: our eyes are very precious and we should care for them. There are common conditions affecting them that can be detected early with eye testing and treated with modern, safe and painless techniques.

Click here for more information about the Six Common Types of Eye Diseases Explained.

Floaters are dark, variably shaped, objects which can be seen by people against a bright background. They are very, very common.

They see objects that resemble flies, mosquitoes, maybe cobwebs or strings, sometimes comma shaped other times very elaborate in shape against a whitish wall or a bright blue sky and they can actually be seen to move with eye movements.

Sometimes people think they are going crazy as they imagine these objects are in front of them!

Floaters Causes

Floaters are caused by the aggregation of proteins in the vitreous or the ‘gel’ of the eye. They can present suddenly or be longstanding. If they present suddenly… it’s usually due to something called a posterior vitreous detachment. That’s the natural separation of the gel of the eye from the back part of the eye called the retina.

Often people say they can see ‘flashes’ of light as well. Especially at night (when it’s dark).

It is not to be confused with a retinal detachment which is much more serious.

People Who Encounter Floaters

Some people don’t see their floaters at all. whereas some people see them only if they look hard for them. For these people nothing is needed. However, some people have prominent floaters that can be very close to the centre of the visual axis and be very bothersome. Some people are distracted by them when using a computer monitor or reading. Others can’t even drive without being distracted by them.

They can be a real nuisance.

Floaters Treatment

It has been said that there is nothing you can do about them. However that is not true. There has been an operation available for many years called a vitrectomy. This removes floaters.

However, it’s an operation. An operation which has risks of problems in the eye.

New Procedure for Floaters

Now there is a new procedure for floaters called YAG laser vitreolysis.

A laser, called the Ultra Q Reflex is shone into the eye directly at the floaters and the floaters are vaporised. ‘Dissolved’ if you like.

Listeners will be interested to know that the laser is an Australian invention.

It’s made in Adelaide by a company called Ellex and Adelaide exports them to many countries of the world. Including the US and Germany (these are the countries we often associate with advanced laser technology). So it’s quite amazing!

No procedure is without risk. However, because there is no surgery, that is, there are no cuts made in the eye, no holes into the eye, no scalpels, no needles so there is no risk of infection or haemorrhage and those other potential problems associated with surgery.

Ulltra Q Reflex Laser

If people have troublesome floaters, they should know that there is now an noninvasive option available to them: the Ultra Q reflex laser from Ellex (Australia).

More information is available on: www.ellex.com (this is not Dr Moshegov’s website).

Click here for more information about: Laser Eye Surgery Sydney.