Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Eye diseases

Blepharitis

Experiencing pain, heat and swelling in the eyelids? You could have blepharitis, inflammation that usually affects both eyes. Here’s how to treat it.

 Glasses may help improve vision in the early stages of cataracts.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s lens and a leading cause of blindness. Most people develop cataracts by age 90, but they can affect anyone, even...

 Specially designed cards can check for colour blindness.

Colour blindness

Finding it hard to tell red from green, or blue from yellow, is colour blindness. In rare cases, a person can’t see colour at all. Learn more here.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the lining of the eye and eyelid.

Conjunctivitis

Known as 'pink eye', conjunctivitis is a contagious disease where the whites of the eye appear pink and may have a sticky discharge.

A man has an eye test to check for diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy

Discover how diabetes can slowly damage your retina (the layer of light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye), leading to diabetic retinopathy.

Eye discharge

Do you have a discharge from the eyes? From styes to scratches, this can indicate an infection and could be caused by any number of conditions.

 Optometrist examining female patient in ophthalmology clinic.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. It affects 1 in 10 Australians aged over 80, but glaucoma can strike at any age.

 Man having his eyes examined by an ophthalmologist.

Keratoconus

This eye condition changes the shape of the cornea, the dome-shaped window that covers the iris, distorting a person’s vision.

Macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to loss of vision, you can cut your risk by healthy lifestyle choices and having regular eye checks.

 Illustration of eye anatomy

Optic neuritis

Eye pain and sudden loss of vision? It could be optic neuritis, inflammation of the optic nerve. Learn about its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

 Boy having an eye test using a vision test machine.

Refractive errors

Refractive errors are very common, causing blurred vision. Learn about short sightedness, astigmatism and other types of refractive errors here.

Retinitis pigmentosa

Tunnel vision and night blindness are just 2 of the symptoms caused by the genetic eye disorder retinitis pigmentosa. Learn more about it here.

 Child with stye.

Stye

A stye occurs when the glands in your eyelids become blocked and get infected. You may notice a small red lump or swelling on your eyelid. Here's what...

Trachoma

Trachoma is a contagious eye infection that can cause blindness if left untreated. Learn how to prevent and treat trachoma.

 Twitching eye is a muscle spasm in the eyelid.

Twitching eye

Spasms in the eyelid can signal fatigue, stress and in rare cases, multiple sclerosis. Learn about its causes and treatments and when to see a doctor.

Uveitis

If left untreated, uveitis - or inflammation of the middle layer of your eye, can lead to blindness. Here's how to spot the symptoms of uveitis.

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.