Cataract
A clouding of the eye’s natural lens. It can make vision blurry, hazy, or more sensitive to glare.
Patient glossary
Common eye conditions and procedures
Simple explanations of words you may hear during an eye appointment, referral, or diagnostic test.
When to seek urgent help
If you experience sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, new flashes or floaters, eye trauma, or a curtain-like shadow over your vision, seek urgent medical care or contact emergency services.
Eye conditions
Glaucoma
A group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve, often linked with pressure inside the eye. It may affect side vision first.
Macular degeneration
A condition affecting the central part of the retina, called the macula. It can make reading, recognising faces, and seeing fine detail harder.
Diabetic retinopathy
Eye changes caused by diabetes affecting blood vessels in the retina. Regular checks help detect changes early.
Retinal detachment
When the retina pulls away from the back of the eye. This can be serious and needs urgent medical attention.
Seek urgent care for sudden flashes, many new floaters, or a curtain-like shadow in your vision.
Inherited retinal disease
A group of conditions passed through families that affect how the retina works. Symptoms can include night blindness, reduced side vision, or gradual vision changes.
Optic neuritis
Inflammation of the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. It can cause blurred vision, pain with eye movement, or changes in colour vision.
Uveitis
Inflammation inside the eye. It may cause redness, pain, light sensitivity, floaters, or blurred vision.
Amblyopia
Often called lazy eye. It happens when vision in one eye does not develop normally during childhood.
Strabismus
A condition where the eyes do not point in the same direction. It is sometimes called a turned eye or squint.
Tests and procedures
Electroretinogram (ERG)
A test that measures how the retina responds to light. It helps doctors understand how well the light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye are working.
Visual evoked potential (VEP)
A test that measures signals travelling from the eyes to the brain. It can help assess the visual pathway and optic nerve function.
OCT scan
A detailed scan that takes cross-section pictures of the retina and optic nerve. It is quick, painless, and does not touch the eye.
Visual field test
A test that checks side and central vision. It can help detect blind spots or changes that may not be obvious day to day.
Fundus photography
A photograph of the back of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve. It helps monitor changes over time.
Dilating drops
Eye drops used to widen the pupil so the doctor can see the back of the eye more clearly. Vision may be blurry and light-sensitive for a few hours afterward.
Referral
A request from your doctor, optometrist, or specialist asking another service to assess or test your eyes.
Consent to transfer records
Permission for your relevant eye health information to be shared with another clinic or hospital involved in your care.
This glossary is for general education only and does not replace advice from your doctor, optometrist, ophthalmologist, or other qualified health professional.