Your guide to eye conditions

Like short- or long-sightedness, astigmatism is a very common and treatable cause of blurred vision.

Red and swollen eyelids – particularly around the edges – that can be caused by an infection or a skin condition. It’s not serious but it can lead to further problems.

Cloudy patches in the lens of the eye, causing blurry, misty vision. Usually more common in people over 65.

Sometimes confused with a stye, a chalazion is often a painless swelling or lump that develops in your eyelid. It’s not serious, and will usually disappear on its own.

Unlike blurry vision, cloudy vision is when objects appear as if you’re looking through a cloudy piece of glass. It can also result in colour dullness and halos

Computers are a big part of our everyday lives, but they can have quite an effect on our eyes. See our tips on how best to manage and reduce computer eye strain.

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is inflammation of the membrane that covers the eye and inside of the eyelids, making the eye look red with a burning or itchy feeling.

Also known as keratitis, corneal ulcers are painful sores on the cornea (the clear layer at the front of your eye). It might feel like you have something in your eye, and looks like a grey or white spot.

A condition caused by diabetes that affects the small blood vessels in the eye, damaging the retina, which is vital for sight.

Double vision, or diplopia, happens when you see two versions of the same image. There are two types: monocular and binocular.

Occurs when your eyes don’t make enough tears or they evaporate too quickly causing dry, red and irritated eyes.

An involuntary muscle spasm in the eyelid, usually in one eye. It can be bothersome, but it’s completely harmless and painless, and will going away on its own.

The appearance of spots or strands floating across your vision, particularly against a bright background.

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases where vision is lost due to damage to the optic nerve. Approximately 300,000 Australians have glaucoma.

A common allergic reaction to pollen at certain times of the year, causing irritated and inflamed eyes.

Affects your central vision and your ability to focus on things like driving, faces and reading. There are two types: dry and wet.

More commonly known as short sight, people with myopia can see things clearly up close, but things far away are blurred.

Raised eye pressure caused by issues draining the fluid inside the eye. Although symptomless, people with ocular hypertension (OHT) are more at risk of developing glaucoma, a more serious eye condition.

Causes temporary distortion or vision loss in one eye, and is sometimes accompanied by a headache. Also known as a retinal or eye migraine.

A natural loss of elasticity of the lens from around the age of 40 that affects your ability to focus on things close-up, like reading.

It may look alarming, but it’s usually a sign of a minor condition like conjunctivitis. But it may be a more serious issue if you feel any pain.

Occurs when the retina, which lines the back of the eye, pulls away from the blood vessels that keep it healthy.

Although they can be painful, styes are usually nothing to worry about, and will usually clear up on their own after a week or two.

Occurs if too many tears are produced or if they can’t drain properly causing sore, uncomfortable eyes with blurred vision.