This is general advice only and Dr. Nick cannot accept responsibility for any outcomes. If you have any symptoms that concern you seek assistance immediately.
In this section explore information that will help you gain control of your own health. Research symptoms and their significance. Delve into a better understanding of your eye condition. Understand what it means for you, your family and arm yourself with information to help you look after yourself. Explore treatment options that will work for you.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma Care: Effective, Safe, and Life-Changing
Often called the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma can develop without noticeable symptoms, and many people don’t realize they have it until the damage has advanced. Fortunately, breakthroughs in glaucoma diagnosis and treatment over the last decade now enable us to detect it earlier and help preserve vision for the long term.
Understanding Glaucoma in Australia
An estimated 300,000 Australians are living with glaucoma, yet only about half are aware. This means many are unknowingly at risk. A simple screening test with an optometrist can confirm if you’re at risk, and if glaucoma is diagnosed or suspected, a referral to Dr. Nick Toalster can provide you with a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan.
How We Diagnose Glaucoma
During your glaucoma assessment, Dr. Nick will ask about your family history and any relevant medical conditions. We’ll take quick, painless measurements of your eye pressure, and Dr. Nick will examine your optic nerve using a specialized microscope called a slit lamp. Additionally, scans of the optic nerve and a computerized peripheral vision test will be used to tailor your treatment specifically to your needs.
Types of Glaucoma and How They Affect Vision
Glaucoma is actually a group of related conditions, all of which involve damage to the optic nerve—the vital link that transmits images from the eye to the brain. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to progressive peripheral vision loss and, in rare cases, blindness. However, with modern treatment options, this severe outcome is increasingly uncommon.
One type, called closed-angle glaucoma, occurs when fluid in the eye can’t drain properly due to a blockage. This form can cause painful pressure spikes and may lead to rapid vision loss within days if left untreated. Other forms of glaucoma may result from inflammation, cells, or membranes growing within the eye, which can obstruct fluid flow. In open-angle glaucoma, pressure builds gradually over years, often without symptoms. Even when pressure is within the normal range, a condition known as normal-tension glaucoma, reducing eye pressure is still key to protecting your vision.
Modern Treatment Options for Glaucoma
Treatment options for glaucoma have expanded significantly, giving patients more effective, comfortable, and convenient choices. For mild or early-stage glaucoma, light laser therapy or eye drops may be recommended. For more advanced cases, an array of microstents is available that can be implanted to reduce eye pressure and stabilize vision.
Because glaucoma can vary over time, regular monitoring with Dr. Nick or your optometrist is crucial. This way, any changes can be caught early, and your treatment plan can be adjusted as needed.
Take Control of Your Vision Health
Book an appointment today to take the first step in preserving your vision and explore the most effective, comfortable options for glaucoma care available.
Pterygium
Pterygium: Understanding and Managing a Common Eye Condition
A pterygium is a growth on the surface of the eye. They are particularly common in Australia due to our exposure to UV light. Many people are worried about having their pterygium treated because historically pterygium surgery was painful. Thankfully this is no longer true. This condition often appears as a raised, pinkish tissue extending from the white part of the eye (the sclera) toward the cornea (the clear, central part of the eye). While it can be concerning, modern treatment options make managing pterygium straightforward and highly effective.
What Causes Pterygium?
Pterygium typically develops due to prolonged exposure to UV light, which is why it is common among those who spend significant time outdoors, especially in sunny climates. Wind, dust, and dry environments can also contribute to its growth. Initially they can be bothersome, causing symptoms like redness, irritation, dryness, or a gritty sensation in the eye. In some cases, pterygium may grow toward the cornea, potentially affecting vision. In a small minority of cases they can harbour cancerous cells.
Symptoms and When to Seek Treatment
The symptoms of pterygium can vary in intensity. Most people experience only minor irritation, but if a pterygium starts to grow, affect vision or causes significant discomfort, it is certainly worthwhile seeking Dr Nick Toalster’s opinion. Common symptoms include:
• Redness: Due to irritation and exposure.
• Grittiness or Dryness: Often due to the uneven surface of the eye caused by the growth.
• Blurry Vision: In cases where the pterygium extends onto the cornea.
Treatment Options for Pterygium
For mild cases, over-the-counter or prescription lubricating eye drops can provide relief from dryness and irritation. When this proves ineffective advanced cases, a variety of treatments can help manage symptoms or remove the pterygium altogether:
• Lubricating Eye Drops: Help soothe dryness and reduce irritation.
• Anti-inflammatory Medications: These can minimize inflammation and discomfort.
• Surgical Removal: For pterygia that are growing or causing symptoms, a surgical procedure can safely remove the growth. With modern surgical techniques, the procedure is highly effective, and the risk of recurrence is reduced. These techniques result in much faster recovery and less discomfort. Most people can return to normal activities quickly.
Protecting Your Eyes from Pterygium
Since UV exposure is a major cause, wearing UV-protective sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats when outdoors is an excellent preventive measure. Staying hydrated and using artificial tears in dry, windy conditions can also help protect your eyes from irritation and reduce the likelihood of pterygium growth.
Take the Next Step to Protect Your Vision
If you’re experiencing symptoms of pterygium or have questions about protecting your eyes, book an appointment today to explore the best treatment options for you. With timely care, pterygium can be effectively managed, ensuring your vision and comfort remain uncompromised.
Red flag symptoms
Flashes and Floaters
Seeing debris floating in your field of vision or seeing brief flashes of light or colour are some of the most common symptoms. Strangely these are often related. The floaters that people see range from one or two small dots or squiggly lines that move about in the field of vision, right up to large strings or blobs, and often a circle or semicircle. They are caused by cells and protein moving around in the gel that fills the eye and these cast shadow as the light passes through the eye. We then see this as floating shapes in our vision. Flashes of light are most commonly caused by the gel of the eye pulling on the nerves of the retina and stimulating them to give the perception of light.
A sudden onset of a new floaters, particularly when associated with an increase in seeing flashes of light, is a common symptom of the gel of the eye separating from the back surface of the eye. When this happens you should be seen by an eye doctor or optometrist because as the gel pulls on the retina it can occasionally tear a hole, which can lead to a retinal detachment and blindness. It is very important that the examination is done with pupil dilating drops to allow a view right out to the edge of the retina (this is where most small tears in the retina may hide). Thankfully, in the majority of cases no retinal tear occurs and patients can be reassured that their symptoms do not put them at risk of blindness.
Usually the floaters and flashes people see will slowly lessen over some months. Rarely they can persist and be very annoying. In those circumstances a careful discussion weighing up the risks and benefits of whether surgery to remove them can be had.
There are other causes of flashes of light being seen and these range from the zig-zag, shimmering lights see in certain types of a migraine to extremely rare degenerations of the retina. If you have new flashes of light, particularly if they are persistent or increasing, it is worth having your eyes examined. However, in the vast majority of causes there is no serious underlying cause, so be reassured.
Gritty or irritated eyes
Gritty eyes are one of the most common eye complaints. This uncomfortable sensation arises when something irritates the surface of the eye, whether it’s the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) or the conjunctiva (the transparent skin covering the white of the eye). Here’s what might be causing it and what you can do.
Common Causes of Chronically Gritty Eyes
If you experience persistent, gritty eyes, it is often due to one or more of the following:
• Dry Eyes: A lack of sufficient tear production leads to dryness and irritation on the eye’s surface.
• Eyelid Inflammation (Blepharitis): Inflammation of the eyelid margins can contribute to chronic irritation.
• Conjunctival Inflammation: Often linked to allergies (similar to hayfever), this causes redness, itching, and grittiness.
These conditions often coexist, meaning effective treatment usually needs to address each contributing factor to provide lasting relief.
Sudden or Severe Grittiness: When to Seek Urgent Care
If gritty eyes come on suddenly and are severe, they could be a sign of an eye infection. Those at higher risk, such as contact lens wearers and individuals with eyelid issues, should see an eye doctor or optometrist promptly instead of trying to manage symptoms on their own.
Steps to Relief for Mild to Moderate Symptoms
For mild irritation without vision loss, an optometrist can assess your eyes and guide you on effective treatments. Optometrists often specialize in dry eye care and can suggest therapies like:
• Hot Compresses: These help soften eyelid oils and relieve irritation.
• Lubricating Eye Drops: Artificial tears can help maintain eye moisture.
• Anti-Inflammatory Drops: These reduce inflammation and provide relief.
• Advanced Treatments: Options like intense pulsed light therapy and others may be recommended based on individual needs.
Severe Eye Discomfort or Vision Changes: Seek Medical Attention
For more intense eye discomfort, especially if your vision is affected, a consultation with an eye doctor or immediate care at a hospital is essential if symptoms appear suddenly.
Find Relief Today
If gritty eyes are affecting your daily comfort, book an appointment to explore effective treatments and achieve the relief you deserve.
Other symptoms include:
Light sensitivity
Eye pain
Dry eye
Variable vision
Sudden loss of vision
Gradual blurring of vision
Patchy vision
Distorted vision
Double vision
Eye trauma
Headache
Chemical exposure or splash
Forehead rash