Eye Health Glossary

Cataract

A cataract is caused by the gradual clouding of the lens which can eventually become so cloudy you can no longer see through the lens.

Cornea

The Cornea is the clear outer covering of the eye

Diabetic Retinopathy

Small blood vessels – such as those in the eye – are especially vulnerable to poor blood sugar control. An over accumulation of sugars damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina which may cause them to bleed into the eye, cloud vision and destroy the retina.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the passages that allow fluid in the eye to drain become clogged or blocked. This results in the amount of fluid in the eye building up and causing increased pressure inside the eye. This increased pressure damages the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain. The optic nerve is the main carrier of vision information to the brain. Damage to it results in less information sent to the brain and a loss of vision.

Iris

The Iris is the coloured part of the eye it regulates the amount of light entering the eye.

Lens

The lens is a clear part of the eye behind the iris that helps focus light, or an image, on the Retina

Macula

The macula is an oval yellow spot near the centre of the retina of the human eye. Near its centre is the fovea, a small pit that contains the largest concentration of cone cells in the eye and is responsible for central vision.

The pictures below Left Normal Vision and the Right show the same view with age related macular degeneration. You will notice the second image is not sharp and the centre of the picture is missing.

2 boys with the ball Blured picture of 2 boys

Material Safety Data Sheet

Information provided by the manufacturer about the danger of their chemical products and treatment that may be required if splashed in eyes or ingested.

Obesity

Obesity refers to being seriously overweight to the point where a person’s health is at risk.

Optic Nerve

The Optic nerve is a bundle of more than a million nerve fibres that carries visual messages from the Retina to the brain.

Optical illusions

An optical illusion occurs when the message received from the eye by the brain is misinterpreted. The result is often puzzling and difficult for the eye to unravel

Pupil

The Pupil is the opening at the centre of the iris. The iris adjusts the size of the pupil and controls the amount of light that enters he eye

Retina

The retina is the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye. The Retina converts light into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain through the optic nerve.

Vitreous

Clear gel like substance that fills the inside of the eye and helps to maintain the eyes shape.

Vitreous Hemorrhage

A Vitreous hemorrhage refers to bleeding into the vitreous humor of the eye. Such bleeding can cause obstruction to the passage of light into the eye and therefore restrict vision

Back to Eye Health