Ophthalmology

To check the retina for any signs of eye diseases, specialised drops of medication will be applied to the eye to dilate the pupil allowing the ophthalmologist a wider opening to view.

To evaluate and determine the capacity for one to see both close and far. This test involves reading letters on a backlit board. Children who aren't able to read yet will be given a simpler version.

This diagnostic is used to determine the required type of prescription glasses. The Ophthalmologist tests the different strengths of lenses what help the patient achieve the clearest and sharpest possible vision.

A computer is used to check the curvature of the patient's cornea and this test is typically necessary before surgery or first time contact lenses.

Typically used for those who may suffer from Glaucoma, tonometry is a diagnostic test to measure the pressure of the eyes.

As a disease that damages the optic nerve, Glaucoma is usually present in older individuals causing loss of sight and if untreated, permanent blindness.

Because it has no visible symptoms in early stages, this can lead to gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision, tunnel vision, and finally if not treated, permanent vision loss.

Farsightedness is a condition that makes it difficult for the patient to focus on objects closer to their eyes. This is due to the eyeball being physically too short to effectively refract light and is usually solved with prescription lenses.

Symptoms of farsightedness can also include overall blurred vision and sore eyes from reading text and headaches.

Described as a central loss of vision, AMD typically affects adults over the ages of 50 and is attributed to damage to a small area central of the retina called the macula.

The most apparent symptom is blurred central vision as well as the lack of ability to tackle tasks that require "straight ahead" vision.

More commonly known as short-sightedness, the most common symptom is the inability to see objects that are far away and tends to develop in early childhood.

Typically corrected with glasses, other common symptoms include blurry vision when focusing on distant objects or when reading.

This is a condition in which the eyes do not maintain proper alignment and point in different directions. Often developing in childhood, this condition usually requires surgery to straighten the eyes though less serious cases may only require specialised prescription glasses.

Deemed as the loss of one's auto-focus function in the eye to nearer objects, this is caused by ligaments of the eye lens hardening naturally over time. This condition is often confused with hyperopia.

Other common symptoms include visual fatigue and the inability to read small texts. Presbyopia can also occur with other refractive errors.

Indicated via a cloudiness on the lens of the eye, this condition usually develops in older individuals but can occur as a result from injury or trauma, prolonged eye inflammation as well as steroid treatment. Certain infants can also be born with cataracts.

The most common symptom exhibited by cataracts is blurry vision however other symptoms can include fading colours, light sensitivity, glare and double vision.

Usually developing in childhood due to improper development of vision from uncorrected squinting or refractive errors, this condition reflects poor vision without the presence of eye disease.

Only one eye is usually affected, but it is possible for Amblyopia to be present in both eyes.