Eye Health Facts
Is that a cataract I can see growing over my eye?
Probably not. Cataract refers to cloudiness or opacitiy in the lens of the eye. The lens of the eye sits in behind the pupil, well inside the eye. Most of the time cataracts are not visible looking at the eye. In very advanced cases you might notice the pupil is greyish rather than black, but that's all you'd see.
If you're look at your eye and seeing something growing over it, chances are you're looking at a pterygium. Connective tissue growths, they are typically seen in people who spend lots of time outdoors, appearing white, but easily become inflamed in dry or dusty conditions. They can be removed surgically if they encroach too far across the eye.
If you're watching anything growing across your eye, it's best to get it checked out.
Eye Health Facts
"I've had my eyes lasered"
Laser light has found many uses in eye surgery, as it can deliver precise amounts of energy to pinpoint locations around the eye to remove, reshape or remodel tissue.
In different intensities, colours and locations in the eye, laser can be used for treatment in:
- Refractive surgery to correct for short- or long-sightedness and/or astigmatism
- As a followup treatment after cataract surgery
- In diabetic eye disease
- In macular disease
- Repairing tears in the retina or eyes at risk of retinal detachment
- In acute angle closure glaucoma
- In open angle glaucoma
- At low intensity as an 'activator' for certain medical treatments.
So don't be surprised when you get asked a few more questions about your eyes if you tell us 'I've had my eyes lasered'.