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Eyes

The eye is very complex and injury or disease can easily damage your eye beyond repair. Find out what symptoms can indicate a threat to your vision.

Astigmatism

A very common condition that causes blurred vision because of the shape of the cornea or lens in the eye.

Cataracts

When the clear lens in your eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts are one of the most common causes of reduced vision.

Chalazion (meibomian cyst)

A chalazion is a lump on one of your eyelids. It forms when a tiny oil gland (meibomian gland) on the inside of your eyelid gets blocked and swollen. Oil builds up inside the gland and forms a lump.

Conjunctivitis

An eye condition caused by infection or allergies. It can make your eyes sticky, irritated, red or pink.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes are caused by your eyes not producing enough tears or by something affecting the ability of your tears to form a protective film. This gives your eyes a sore, gritty sensation. The irritation of dry eye may trigger excessive tears.

Eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)

Blepharitis is an inflammation of your eyelid. It is not an infection, and it is not contagious. It is common and may keep coming back as it can be treated but not cured. It will not affect your vision.

Floaters and flashes

Dots and lines (floaters) or flashes of light in your vision are common, especially as you get older. They are not usually serious, particularly if you have had them for a long time, they are not getting worse, and your eyesight is not affected.

Glaucoma

An eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve at the back of your eye. Untreated, it can cause blindness.

Hyperopia

When someone can see things clearly in the distance but has difficulty seeing close objects clearly.

Low vision and blindness

Low vision is an eyesight problem that makes it hard to do everyday activities.

Macular degeneration

The main cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Aotearoa New Zealand. A disease that affects the cells that feed the back of your eye.

Myopia

Short-sightedness means someone can see close objects clearly but has difficulty seeing things clearly in the distance.

Presbyopia

Begins in middle age, and makes it hard to focus on things that are up close. It is not a disease but a normal part of getting older.

Pterygium and pinguecula

Pterygium and pinguecula are common growths on the front of an eye. Both happen on the clear covering over the white of your eye (the conjunctiva), and usually on the side closest to your nose.

Retinal detachment

The retina is the surface at the back of your eye that detects shape and colour. When it separates from the inner lining of the eye, this is retinal detachment. It can cause loss of vision. This can be prevented if the detachment is found and treated early.

Stye

Stye is the name for a lump or swelling that happens when an infection forms around the base of an eyelash, on the edge of your eyelid. A stye can look like a tiny, yellow, pus-filled spot.

Watery eyes

You can get watery eyes at any age, but it's more common in young pēpi (babies) and in people over the age of 60. It can affect one or both eyes.