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Behind the Eyes Hurt: A Guide to Eye Strain and Headaches

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:13:36 GMT

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare , more than 13 million Australians live with one or more chronic eye conditions. While many of these issues develop silently without you ever noticing, persistent soreness or pain behind the eyes may indicate anything from digital eye strain to an underlying eye or medical condition that requires professional assessment.

Whether your symptoms are related to prolonged screen use, headaches, sinus problems, or another condition, identifying the underlying cause is the first step towards appropriate treatment.

In this guide, we will break down the likely causes of why areas behind your eyes hurt, when to seek an eye examination, and the treatment options that may help.

Key Takeaways

Pain behind the eye is usually a sensation caused by issues in the sinuses, muscles, or nerves rather than the eye itself.
Digital eye strain, tension headaches, and sinus inflammation are the most frequent causes of pain behind the eyes.
If the pain comes with vision loss, "halos" around lights, severe nausea, or sudden eye redness, you should seek professional diagnostic care immediately.
The right treatment depends entirely on the root cause. It could be as simple as changing up your daily routine, or it might require prescription medication

What Does It Mean If Areas Behind Your Eyes Hurt?

Pain behind the eyes is often referred pain, meaning the discomfort may originate from nearby muscles, nerves, or sinuses rather than the eye itself.

Think of your eye socket (the orbit) as a small, crowded room. It is packed with your eyes, the optic nerve, muscles, and blood vessels. Because the nerves serving your eye, your face, and your sinuses are all tangled up together, your brain sometimes struggles to pinpoint exactly where the pain is coming from.

We frequently see patients who come in terrified that they have a serious eye condition due to deep, throbbing pressure. Yet, after an exam, we often find their eyes are perfectly healthy. The real issue is actually a deep sinus infection or severe neck tension from a desk setup, mimicking eye pain.

So, if you are experiencing pain in and behind the eye, try not to panic; it is usually just your body’s way of asking you to help figure out the underlying cause.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Pain Behind the Eye?

Based on our experience, here are the most common reasons for pain behind the eye:

Digital Eye Strain

According to data from a UOWTV study, Australians spend up to 42% of their waking hours in front of a screen. With that much exposure, it is no surprise that digital eye strain is the most common cause of soreness behind the eyes.

When you stare at a computer or smartphone for hours, your ciliary muscles (the tiny muscles that help your eye focus) remain under continuous focusing demand and create dull, aching pressure behind the eye.

We recommend taking short, frequent breaks to interrupt this pattern and help your muscles to relax.

Headaches

Headaches are one of the most common causes of pain behind the eyes. This is because the main nerve causing your headache shares the same pathway as the nerves in your eye. When that nerve gets irritated, your brain signals the pain as coming from deep behind your eyes.

Here are the headache types that cause deep eye pain:

Tension Headaches : Creating deep pressure behind the eyes.
Migraines : Throbbing aches that frequently hit behind one eye.
Cluster Headaches : Intense, piercing bursts of pain focused on one eye.

Sinus Infections

The sinuses are located directly behind and above the eyes. When they become inflamed due to a cold or allergies, they cannot drain properly. This creates increased pressure within the sinus cavities or pressure buildup that pushes directly against the back of the eye socket.

This is why you often feel the pain behind the eyes that worsens when you bend forward or move your head suddenly.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Chronic dry eye does more than make your eyes feel gritty. When your eyes aren’t producing a stable tear film, they are under constant stress to maintain a clear image.

This chronic irritation can cause a deep, aching fatigue that patients often mistake for socket pain, especially by the end of a long day.

Changes in Vision or an Outdated Glasses Prescription

When your eyesight naturally shifts, an old prescription forces your eyes to work much harder to stay in focus. An outdated prescription can force the eyes to work harder to maintain clear focus, leading to eye strain and discomfort.

As your eyes are fighting against the lenses every second of the day, it can easily trigger a deep pain behind them.

Eye Conditions That May Cause Pain Behind the Eye

While many causes are temporary, some specific eye health conditions that cause pain behind the eyes require medical intervention:

Glaucoma

According to the Centre for Eye Research Australia, Glaucoma affects approximately 300,000 Australians, without any early symptoms

However, acute angle-closure glaucoma causes a sudden, dangerous spike in eye pressure and may cause a throbbing pain deep behind the eye, alongside nausea and blurry vision. If you experience this, it is a medical emergency.

Optic Neuritis

This condition is an inflammation of the optic nerve. It causes pain behind the eye that specifically worsens when you move your eyes. It is often a signal of an underlying autoimmune response.

Uveitis

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea (the middle layer of the eye). This condition causes deep, throbbing pain in the eyes, significant light sensitivity, and often a visible redness.

Eye Infections

Orbital cellulitis is a serious infection of the tissues surrounding the eye. It can also cause soreness behind the eye, along with swelling and limited eye movement.

Elevated Eye Pressure (Ocular Hypertension)

High eye pressure that hasn’t yet caused glaucoma can still create a painful or heavy sensation behind the eyes.

Why Does the Pain Sometimes Affect Only One Eye?

One-sided pain is usually due to localised inflammation or specific neurological headache patterns. Because your nerve pathways split to serve each side of your face independently, a localised issue like a sinus infection or a migraine trigger will usually show up on only one side.

If a patient comes to our clinic with pain behind just one eye, we always test both eyes anyway. Comparing a healthy eye against the painful one is the fastest way to see if the issue is actually inside the eyeball itself or if the pain is just radiating from somewhere else.

When Should You Book an Eye Examination for Soreness Behind the Eyes?

You should book an exam if your pain is persistent or worsening. However, you should head straight to an emergency room or seek immediate medical care if your eye pain comes with:

Sudden vision loss or significant blurring
Seeing "halos" or rainbows around lights
Severe pain following a physical injury
Double vision
Severe headache with vomiting
Fever with eye swelling
Noticeable changes, like a bulging eye or being unable to move the eye normally

(Note: If you are experiencing visual drops without severe pain, please refer to our patient guide: 18 Causes of Sudden Blurry Vision: Why Is My Vision Blurry? )

How Does an Eye Examination Identify the Cause of Pain in and Behind the Eyes?

A thorough eye exam is the best way to figure out whether that deep ache is just everyday screen strain or a sign of an internal health issue. An optometrist will typically walk through these steps to identify the underlying cause:

Reviewing Symptoms and Medical History

The process begins with a detailed conversation. By understanding your environment, computer habits, and other health issues, a practitioner can often identify the cause before starting the physical exam.

Checking Vision and Prescription

Next, they will check your vision to verify if an outdated glasses prescription is forcing your eyes to overwork and causing that deep strain.

Measuring Eye Pressure

They will then check the pressure inside your eye. Measurement of eye pressure is crucial for ruling out conditions like glaucoma, which can cause sudden spikes in pressure and severe pain.

Looking at the Retina and Optic Nerve

After that, the practitioner will use biomicroscopy to examine the back of the eye. They check the optic nerve for any signs of swelling or inflammation that could explain the pain.

Explaining the Results and Treatment Plan

Finally, the optometrist will bring all these findings together. They will explain exactly what is causing the pain and give you a clear plan to fix it

(For a closer look at the advanced technology and equipment used during these steps, you can check out our guide: What Tests Does the Optometrist Use in the Sight Test? )

How Is Pain Behind the Eye Treated?

Because there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution, treatment depends entirely on what is actually causing the ache. Here is how different causes are typically managed at our clinic:

Simple Ways to Relieve Mild Eye Strain and Eye Discomfort at Home

If your pain is caused by simple fatigue, these steps in your daily routine can help immediately:

The 20-20-20 Rule: Take a break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This breaks the patterns of digital strain.
Optimise Your Workspace: Try to match your screen's brightness to the light in the room around you to avoid eye strain.
Warm Compresses: A clean, warm (not hot) cloth over closed eyes can help unclog eyelid glands and relax eye muscles.
Blink More: We all forget to blink when staring at a computer or phone. Reminding yourself to blink a few times helps stop your eyes from drying out and stinging.

Conclusion

Pain behind your eyes is usually a sign that something is pushing your body out of balance. Once you start paying attention to whether the trigger is just screen strain or a deeper issue like a migraine, you are already halfway to figuring out how to recommend the most appropriate treatment or further investigation.

If the discomfort won't go away or starts making it hard to get through your day, don't just try to push through the pain. Get a professional opinion at an expert eye health centre like Nazrain Optometrists to protect your eyesight and get back to feeling comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have pain in the back of my left eye?

Pain behind one eye may be caused by migraines, sinus inflammation, cluster headaches, or certain eye conditions. However, if it is persistent, it is important to have a professional check-up to ensure there is no inflammation or pressure-related issue.

Is eye pain behind the eye always serious?

Not always, but it should be taken seriously if it is persistent. Many cases are simple eye strain, but because serious conditions like glaucoma or optic neuritis can present similarly, it is always recommended to have a professional check-up.

Can I use over-the-counter pain relief for eye pain?

You can use it for temporary comfort, but it does not treat the root cause. If you are taking pain relief medications for eye-related headaches regularly, go for an eye exam to identify why your eyes are under stress.

What Tests Does the Optometrist Use in the Sight Test?

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:05:09 GMT

Most people expect an eye test to involve reading letters from a chart. In reality, that is only one part of a comprehensive eye examination.

Your optometrist runs several tests to check your vision, look at the health of your eyes, and spot any issues before they start affecting your sight.

This guide walks you through the key tests in a comprehensive eye exam, so nothing about your appointment comes as a surprise.

Quick Overview

A modern sight test brings together a few key tools to map out your vision and catch any issues early. Here is what it usually includes:

Visual Acuity: Measuring clarity at specific distances.
Refraction: Determining exact lens prescriptions.
Tonometry: Testing eye pressure.
Visual Field Mapping: Checking peripheral vision.
Retinal Imaging: Capturing detailed images of the back of the eye.
OCT Scanning: Analysing deep-tissue retinal layers.
Digital Microscopic Examination: Inspecting the front surface of the eyes

What Is an Eye Test and Why Is It Important?

An eye test is a full medical evaluation of your eye health. It does more than just see how well you can read. It looks for early warning signs of systemic diseases and conditions like:

Macular degeneration
Diabetic retinopathy
Glaucoma
Cataracts

These serious issues usually develop quietly. You might not feel any pain or see any changes until permanent damage occurs. Regular check-ups help protect your sight before a minor issue turns into a permanent problem.

What Does an Eye Test Involve?

Your eye test starts with a simple chat in which optometrists discuss your:

Health history
Family background
Daily habits.

Once they understand your eyes, your health, and how you use them day-to-day, they move on to the technical side of the exam to see how your eyes are actually performing.

After establishing a clear picture of your life, they move into the technical side of the exam to see how your eyes are actually performing.

7 Essential Tests Your Optometrist Uses During an Eye Exam:

Here are the tests optometrists rely on to get a clear picture of your eye health. The results of these tests guide the next steps, whether you just need a fresh pair of glasses or a specific plan to manage a newly discovered issue:

Visual Acuity Test

This test figures out the smallest letters you can read from 6 metres away. The result is written as a fraction, like 6/6. If you score 6/12, it means you have to be 6 metres away to read what someone with standard vision sees from 12 metres.

In our clinic, patients often feel their vision is fine but don’t realise they have been subconsciously squinting or straining to compensate for minor blur. Visual acuity tests identify such focusing issues and help patients get the right glasses to clear their vision.

Even if your eyes seem healthy, it is worth having this test every two years so you are not unknowingly living with eye strain.

Refraction Assessment

This test finds your perfect prescription. By trying different lenses with a phoropter, optometrists map out exactly how your eyes focus.

Many people just settle for glasses from retail shops, but when your astigmatism is corrected by even a few degrees, the difference is huge. It is common for patients to be surprised at how much sharper the world looks once their vision is properly dialled in with a refraction test.

Tonometry (Eye Pressure Test)

In this test, optometrists use a tonometer to check the fluid pressure inside your eyeball. Normal intraocular pressure typically ranges between 10 and 21 mmHg, although some people develop glaucoma with pressures within this range and others have higher pressures without eye damage. If the number creeps higher, it might mean fluid isn't draining the way it should.

A patient might feel absolutely no discomfort but still have an elevated pressure of 25 mmHg. The test clarifies the pressure issues early on, and the medical provider may prescribe simple preventative drops. These drops keep the optic nerve healthy and help avoid the need for more invasive treatments later on.

Visual Field Testing

This test maps out your entire range of sight while you stare at one spot. It helps optometrists find blind spots, known as scotomas, in your side vision. These spots may indicate nerve damage.

We once had a patient who only noticed a slight issue while driving, but this test quickly identified a clear blind spot in their peripheral vision, and we referred them to a specialist right away.

Retinal Imaging

The procedure is like a high-tech photo of the back of your eye. Retinal imaging captures a detailed, ultra-wide photograph of the back of your eye. At our clinic, the Zeiss Clarus ultra-wide camera captures far more of the peripheral retina than a standard image, which helps detect disease earlier and keeps a permanent record to track changes over time.

Instead of just looking in with a light, optometrists take a wide-field picture that stays in your file. This test allows them to spot immediate issues and track tiny changes in your blood vessels over time.

For instance, in patients with high blood pressure, we often see narrowed or strained retinal arteries, which allows us to suggest a quick check-up with their primary care doctor.

OCT Scanning

Optical Coherence Tomography, or OCT, uses light waves to give optometrists a cross-section of your retina. While a standard retinal image captures the surface view of the retina at the back of the eye, an OCT is often called an "optical biopsy" because it looks deeper and lets the optometrist see hidden tissue layers that a photo cannot show.

In our experience, this scanning has saved central vision for many people by catching fluid buildup early, long before it would show up on a standard exam.

Slit Lamp Examination (Digital Microscope Test)

The result is a high-magnification 3D view of the front of your eye. Using a slit lamp microscope, the optometrist examines the cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids, and tear film to check for dryness, inflammation, and early surface damage.

This test explains why your eyes feel gritty, watery, or tired, and it guides the right treatment. If the exam points to dry eye, your optometrist can talk you through a management plan suited to your eyes, which may include:

Specific eyelid cleaning
Warm compresses
More omega-3 fatty acids in your diet
Regular screen breaks to encourage blinking

The right plan depends on what the exam finds, so it is best confirmed with your optometrist rather than self-managed.

Comprehensive Eye Exam vs Standard Vision Check: What's the Difference?

Many patients confuse a basic vision check with a full medical evaluation, but the two services serve completely different purposes. A vision check is usually just to get you a new pair of specs. A comprehensive eye exam is a deeper medical look at the structure and health of your eye tissues.

Here is exactly what you get with each option:

When Should You Get Your Eyes Checked?

If you notice any of the following signs, don't wait for your next check-up and consult an optometrist right away:

Suddenly blurred or warped vision.
Frequent flashes of light or "floaters" in your view.
Ongoing eye pain or a feeling of pressure.
Constant headaches after you finish working at your computer.

If everything seems fine, just stick to a routine two-year checkup. It is the best way to make sure nothing changes without you noticing.

Conclusion

Think of a full eye exam as a proper health check, not just a way to update your glasses. Reading the chart is part of it, but the real value is in the scans that catch quiet problems long before you would feel them. So keep your tests regular, and do not wait for something to go wrong.

If you would like that kind of thorough checkup for your eyes, our family-run team at Nazarian Optometrists has been caring for Western Sydney since 1985. Book an appointment today, and let us give your vision the care it deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Get an Eye Test Even If My Vision Seems Fine?

Yes. Many eye diseases are silent. Regular testing is the only way to detect conditions like glaucoma before they cause irreversible vision loss.

Are Eye Tests Bulk Billed in Australia?

Comprehensive eye exams are generally bulk-billed for eligible Medicare cardholders, making medical-grade eye care accessible to the community.

Is an Eye Test Painful or Uncomfortable?

Not at all. Most diagnostic tests are non-contact. You might feel a tiny puff of air during the pressure test, but it is quick and completely harmless.

How Long Does a Full Eye Test Take?

A comprehensive exam usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on which diagnostic scans you need. We will always talk you through each step as we go.

How Often Should Children Have Their Eyes Tested?

Most children benefit from a check before they start school, then every one to two years, or sooner if you notice squinting or sitting very close to screens. Children's exams are bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients.

Can an Eye Test Detect Other Health Conditions?

Yes. Retinal imaging can reveal early signs of diabetes and high blood pressure through subtle changes in the eye's blood vessels, which is one reason regular exams matter beyond your prescription.

18 Causes of Sudden Blurry Vision: Why Is My Vision Blurry?

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:32:14 GMT

Sudden blurry vision can occur for several reasons, ranging from temporary issues such as eye strain and dry eyes to more serious medical conditions.

Based on our experience providing eye care in Blacktown, we will explain the common causes of blurred vision, situations that require urgent medical attention, and the treatment options that may help.

Quick Summary

Sudden blurry vision can show up in one eye or both. Most of the time, the cause is something pretty ordinary. Dry eyes, too much screen time, or a glasses prescription that is no longer doing its job. These things happen to many people, and they are usually easy to sort out.

But a few causes are more serious. Angle-closure glaucoma, a detached retina, or a stroke can all affect your vision, and these need help right away. A full eye exam is the clearest way to find out what is going on. Once you know the cause, blurry vision can often be treated well.

When Sudden Blurry Vision Is an Emergency

Sudden blurry vision is an emergency when accompanied by signs suggesting a problem in the eye or brain. Please do not wait it out if the blur arrives with any of these:

Sudden loss of vision, even for a short time
Severe eye pain or a very red, painful eye
New flashes of light or a shower of floaters
A dark curtain or shadow moving across your sight
Double vision
Halos around lights with nausea or vomiting
A severe headache that feels different from your usual ones
Weakness, numbness, facial drooping, confusion, dizziness, or trouble speaking
Blurry vision straight after a knock to the eye or head

Particular attention should be paid to symptoms such as facial drooping, weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or confusion. When these occur alongside vision changes, they may indicate a stroke and require immediate medical attention. Healthdirect Australia advises that a sudden change in vision requires you to go to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are serious, seek prompt medical assessment. Early evaluation can help identify potentially sight-threatening or life-threatening conditions.

What Causes Blurred Vision? 18 Reasons Your Eyes Suddenly Go Blurry

We have grouped the causes of blurred vision from the usually harmless to those that need urgent action. Find your situation, then read on for what to do about it.

1. Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are among the most common causes of hazy vision, and they can also cause blurred vision. When your tear film breaks up too quickly, the surface of your eye loses its smooth focus. Your vision may briefly improve after blinking, then become blurred again. You might also feel burning, grittiness, or oddly watery eyes. Screen time, air conditioning, and long drives can all worsen it.

2. Digital Eye Strain

Stare at a screen long enough, and your focusing muscles get worn out and stop snapping back cleanly. We blink far less when we concentrate, so the eyes dry out on top of the fatigue. The result is blurred by the end of the day, often with a headache and tight shoulders. This type of blur often improves with rest and reduced screen use.

3. Refractive Errors

Harvard Health confirms that refractive error is the most common cause of blurry vision. A refractive error occurs when light does not focus precisely on the retina, resulting in blurred vision. It covers short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism, and the age-related change called presbyopia.

It usually creeps in slowly, but it can feel sudden when your prescription falls behind or the light is poor. The fix is often as straightforward as updating your glasses.

4. Contact Lens Problems

Dirty, dried out, or simply the wrong fit will smear your vision fast. A lens can also shift off-centre, which throws everything out of focus. If the blurred feeling comes with pain, redness, or discharge, take the lenses out and have the eye checked. Sleeping in contact lenses that are not designed for overnight use increases the risk of infection and other preventable eye complications.

5. Eye Allergies

Pollen, dust, pet hair, and even certain cosmetics can set off allergic conjunctivitis. Your eyes turn itchy, watery, and puffy, and the extra tears and swelling blur your sight. It often runs in seasons or flares in a dusty room. Allergy relief usually settles both the itch and the blur together.

6. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Pink eye is inflammation of the thin membrane over the white of your eye, and it can be triggered by a virus, bacteria, or an allergy. Along with redness and discharge, the mucus and watering can leave your vision smudged. It is common, often mild, and very catching, so good hand hygiene matters while it clears.

7. Corneal Abrasion or Eye Injury

A scratch on the cornea, called a corneal abrasion, can be surprisingly painful and uncomfortable. The causes are often small and easy to miss. A stray fingernail, a tiny speck of grit, or even a rough contact lens can do it. Usually, your eye will suddenly turn blurry. It may water a lot, feel very sensitive to light, and give you the nagging feeling that something is stuck in there.

8. Keratitis

Keratitis is inflammation or infection of the cornea, and contact lens misuse is a frequent trigger. It brings pain, redness, light sensitivity, and blur that does not let up. Prompt assessment and treatment are important to reduce the risk of complications. Left alone, a corneal infection can scar and threaten vision, so we never treat it casually.

9. Migraine Aura

Some migraines announce themselves through your eyes before any headache lands. You might see shimmering zigzags, flickering lights, or a patch of blur and blank space. These visual symptoms typically resolve within an hour. A first-ever aura, or one that feels different from your normal pattern, is worth a check to rule out other things.

10. Low Blood Sugar

When blood sugar drops too low, your brain and eyes do not get the fuel they need, and vision can blur for a while. It often arrives with shakiness, sweating, hunger, and a racing heart. People on insulin or certain diabetes medicines feel this most. Usually, treating the low sugar levels clears the blur quickly.

11. High Blood Sugar and Diabetes

High blood sugar pulls fluid into the lens of the eye, changing its shape and affecting its ability to focus properly. Vision may fluctuate from day to day until blood glucose levels become more stable. Over the longer term, diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye, a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which is a leading cause of vision loss. For this reason, people with diabetes are generally advised to have regular eye examinations, often annually.

12. Medication Side Effects

Several commonly prescribed medications can cause blurry vision as a side effect. Antihistamines, some antidepressants, steroids, and certain blood pressure tablets can cause dry eyes and blurred vision. Please never stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Discuss any concerns with your prescribing healthcare professional or eye care provider before making changes to your treatment.

13. Cataracts

A cataract is the clouding of the eye's natural lens, and it usually builds slowly with age. Even so, many people first notice it as a sudden struggle in bright sunlight, with glare and halos, while driving at night. Colors may appear less vivid, and vision may seem cloudy or less clear. When cataracts begin to affect daily activities significantly, cataract surgery is generally a safe and effective treatment option.

14. Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. This condition occurs when the eye's drainage angle becomes blocked, causing a rapid rise in intraocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve. It brings sudden blurriness, severe pain, a red eye, halos around lights, a headache, and often nausea or vomiting. Get to care straight away, because quick treatment protects the optic nerve and your sight.

15. Retinal Detachment

The retina is the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye, and it can peel away from its support. Common warning signs include a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or the appearance of a shadow or curtain across part of the visual field. This condition needs emergency attention. Early treatment is associated with better outcomes, which is why new flashes or floaters should be assessed promptly.

16. Retinal Vein or Artery Occlusion

Sometimes called an eye stroke, this condition happens when a blood vessel feeding the retina is blocked. Vision in one eye blurs or drops suddenly, and usually without any pain. It is more likely with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or other vascular issues. Sudden painless vision loss in one eye is always a reason to seek help quickly.

17. Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, the cable that carries signals from the eye to the brain. It tends to blur one eye, dim your colors, and cause an ache when you move the eye. It can be associated with autoimmune or neurological conditions and should be assessed promptly.

18. Stroke or TIA

Sudden blurry vision, double vision, or a loss of part of your sight can be a sign of a stroke or a mini-stroke (TIA). The concern becomes more urgent when blurred vision occurs alongside facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, confusion, or a severe headache. If you experience these symptoms, call triple zero (000) immediately or seek emergency medical care without delay.

A quick note on completeness: a few rarer causes can blur vision too, including bleeding inside the eye after injury, very high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia in pregnancy, and severe dehydration or stress. They are less common, but they are real, and an eye exam helps tell them apart.8. Stroke or TIA

Why Is My Vision Blurry in One Eye?

When only one eye blurs, the cause is usually local to that eye, though some reasons are serious. Blur in a single eye is more often due to dry eye on that side, a contact lens problem, a corneal scratch, the start of a cataract, or a migraine aura. Conditions such as retinal detachment, retinal vascular occlusion, and optic neuritis require prompt medical assessment because they can threaten vision.

If you're wondering why vision is blurry in only one part of your eye, a general guideline is that gradual vision changes without other concerning symptoms can usually be evaluated during a routine eye appointment. However, any sudden change in vision, eye pain, or loss of vision should be assessed urgently by a healthcare professional.

Why Are Both My Eyes Blurry Suddenly?

Blurring across both eyes at once usually traces back to something affecting your whole system rather than a single eye. Common blurry eye causes include dry eyes, digital eye strain, and migraine-related visual symptoms.

Blood sugar fluctuations, certain medications, and high blood pressure can also affect vision in both eyes. More rarely, a neurological cause sits behind it. The pattern still guides us, which is why we always ask whether it is one eye or two when you call.

How We Find the Cause of Sudden Blurry Vision

Because blurry vision has many possible causes, a comprehensive eye examination is often the most reliable way to identify the underlying problem. When you come in, we start with your story: how fast the blur began, one eye or both, any pain, any recent injury, your medicines, and whether you live with diabetes. From there, we perform a detailed assessment using diagnostic tools designed to evaluate different aspects of eye health.

A refraction tells us whether a prescription change is part of the problem.
A digital bio-microscope gives us a close, magnified look at the front of your eye, so we can spot dryness, infection, or injury.
Tonometry checks the pressure inside your eye, which helps us pick up and keep an eye on glaucoma.
An OCT scan looks beneath the surface of your retina, helping us detect subtle changes that may not be visible during a standard eye examination. This process helps us catch small changes early, often before they cause any symptoms.
The Zeiss Clarus ultra-wide retinal camera captures detailed images of the outer edges of your retina, helping us detect changes that can sometimes be missed during traditional retinal examinations.
A visual field test maps your side vision and flags any quiet gaps you might not have noticed.
For children, we also use the IOL Master to track how the eye is growing and watch for short-sightedness developing over time.

How Much Time Is Required to Treat Blurry Vision?

The right treatment really depends on what we find during the exam. Here is how the common ones usually play out.

How to Prevent Blurry Eyes

Adopting some healthy habits may help reduce the risk of common causes of blurry vision. Take real breaks from your screen and remember to blink. Drink enough water throughout the day, since even mild dehydration dries the eyes. Look after your contact lenses, and never sleep in them unless they are designed for it. Managing the following conditions is important for maintaining long-term eye health .

Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol

Wearing quality sunglasses and appropriate protective eyewear can help reduce the risk of eye injuries and damage from UV exposure. Regular comprehensive eye examinations are equally important, as they can detect changes in eye health before noticeable symptoms develop. As a general guide, an exam every two years suits healthy adults, while yearly checks make sense if you are over 65, wear contact lenses, or live with diabetes. The same goes for children’s vision . Squinting, sitting close to the screen, or headaches after school are worth a look.

Final Words

Your eyes are worth paying attention to, and blurry vision is your body's way of asking you to take a closer look. Most causes can be managed, and many can be easily corrected once you know what you are dealing with. The important thing is to listen to what your vision is telling you.

When the changes are sudden or severe, treat them as urgent. When they build up slowly or keep returning, book an appointment rather than waiting and hoping they pass. You do not have to work out the cause on your own. A thorough eye examination can give you clear answers and a plan that suits your needs.

Modern diagnostic technology helps detect many eye conditions earlier than ever before. At Nazarian Optometrists , tools such as OCT scanning, visual field testing, and ultra-wide retinal imaging help provide a more complete understanding of your eye health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my eye blurry, but it does not hurt at all?

Painless blur is common and often harmless, pointing to things like dry eye, an outdated prescription, the early stage of a cataract, or a passing migraine aura. However, some serious conditions, including retinal vascular occlusions, may also present without pain. Sudden painless vision loss in one eye still needs urgent care, even when nothing aches.

How long should blurry vision last before I worry?

Blurry vision that clears within minutes to an hour, especially after rest or a quick blink, is usually not a cause for concern. Blur that lingers for hours, keeps coming back, or steadily worsens deserves an eye exam. Any sudden, severe, or one-sided blur should not be ignored at all.

Can stress or tiredness really make my vision blurry?

Being run down absolutely affects your eyes. Fatigue and high stress reduce blinking, dry the surface, and tire the focusing muscles, so vision smears and your eyes ache. Rest, hydration, and screen breaks usually settle it, though ongoing blur is still worth checking.

Is it normal for my vision to blur after looking at my phone for a long?

That end-of-scroll haze is classic digital eye strain, and it is very common rather than dangerous. Your eyes have simply held one focus distance too long without blinking enough. The 20-20-20 habit, looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, gives your eyes the reset they need.

Do I still need an eye test if my blurry vision went away on its own?

Blur that clears up can still be worth checking, because the eye may be telling you about a pattern, such as dryness, blood sugar swings, or an early refractive change. A quick exam either reassures you or catches something useful early, and it is easy to manage.

7 Common Paediatric Eye Conditions Every Parent Should Know About

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:43:30 GMT

One in five Australian children lives with an eye or vision condition. That is a significant number, yet most of such cases go completely unnoticed until the child is already falling behind at school, struggling to read, or sitting too close to everything.

The challenge is that children rarely realise their vision is different from everyone else's. If blurry vision is all they have ever known, they often assume it is normal. If they have always seen the world slightly blurred, they assume that is just how it is. They do not complain; in fact, they adapt. And because the early signs are so easy to miss, parents are often the last to find out something is wrong.

Understanding the signs of common eye conditions can help parents seek treatment sooner. Below, we cover seven of the most common childhood eye conditions, along with their symptoms and available treatment options.

Quick Summary

The 7 most common paediatric eye conditions to watch out for include:

Childhood myopia
Lazy eye (amblyopia)
Crossed eyes (strabismus)
Conjunctivitis
Digital eye strain
Colour vision deficiency
Paediatric dry eye or allergies.

Most of these conditions are treatable when caught early through a comprehensive children's eye examination.

Signs Your Child May Need an Eye Examination

Before getting into specific children's eye problems, it helps to know what to watch for at home. Some signs that warrant a professional examination for a child’s vision include:

Sitting unusually close to the TV or holding books very close to their face
Frequent squinting, eye rubbing, or head tilting
Complaints of headaches, especially after school or screen time
Losing their place while reading, or avoiding reading altogether
One eye turning inward or outward
Covering or closing one eye to see better
Sensitivity to light or frequent blinking

If you spot any of these, do not wait for the school vision screening to flag something. School screenings are basic checks. They are not comprehensive eye health examinations. You should always consult an optometrist or eye care professional for a proper assessment.

The 7 Most Common Paediatric Eye Conditions

Here is what every parent should know about the 7 most common pediatric conditions: what they are, how they show up, and what can be done about them.

1 . Childhood Myopia (Short-Sightedness)

Myopia is now one of the most widespread children's vision problems in Australia. A short-sighted child can see nearby objects clearly but struggles to see distant objects sharply. These objects may include:

The whiteboard at school
A friend waving from across the street
Street signs or television text

The underlying cause of Myopia is physical. The eyeball grows slightly too long, which causes incoming light to focus just in front of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. And because the eye is still growing during childhood, myopia tends to get worse year after year if it is not managed.

How It Is Managed

While there is no permanent cure for myopia, its progression can be slowed down significantly to protect your child's future eye health. Evidence-backed options include:

Low-dose Atropine eye drops (nightly drops that relax the eye's focusing mechanism)
Dual Focus spectacle lenses (special glasses designed for school and play that curb eye elongation)
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) (hard contact lenses worn only overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily)
Encouraging more outdoor time (as natural daylight acts like a natural brake and stops the eyeball from growing too long)

2. Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

Amblyopia happens when one eye does not develop normal vision strength during childhood, usually because the brain starts to favour the other eye and gradually stops processing signals from the weaker one. Without treatment, the connection between the weaker eye and the brain may not develop properly, leading to lasting vision loss if left untreated.

The tricky part is that many children with amblyopia show no outward sign of a problem. They navigate daily life normally because their stronger eye is compensating. That is precisely why it tends to go undiagnosed without a proper eye examination.

Signs that may point to amblyopia include:

Frequent eye rubbing
Difficulty judging distances, such as catching a ball, climbing stairs, or navigating uneven surfaces.
Sometimes, there is a visible difference in the position or movement of each eye.

How to Fix It

Patching the stronger eye to force the brain to use the weaker one is still a common and effective approach, often combined with corrective lenses.

The window for successful treatment narrows significantly as the child gets older, so early detection matters enormously.

3. Crossed Eyes (Strabismus)

Strabismus is the condition where both eyes do not align when looking at the same object. One eye may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward. It can be constant or intermittent, sometimes only appearing when the child is tired or unwell.

Parents are often the first to notice that one eye occasionally drifts or does not move in sync with the other. If your child's eyes seem to drift or do not move together, that observation is worth taking seriously and acting on quickly.

When strabismus is not treated, amblyopia may develop as the brain begins to ignore the misaligned eye in order to prevent double vision.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for crossed eyes include:

Corrective glasses
Patching
Vision therapy
Surgery to adjust the eye muscles.

4. Paediatric Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis, often called pink eye, occurs when the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye becomes irritated or infected. When small blood vessels in this membrane become inflamed, the white of the eye takes on a pink or red colour, which is where the name comes from.

In children, conjunctivitis is extremely common and spreads quickly in school and childcare environments. It can be caused by:

Bacteria
Virus
An allergic reaction
An irritant like chlorine from a swimming pool.

Signs your child might be struggling with conjunctivitis include:

Red or pink colouring across the white of the eye
Discharge that crusts and seals the eye shut overnight
Persistent watering or itching that does not settle
Sensitivity to bright light

How to Find Relief

Getting the right diagnosis matters because the treatment differs quite significantly depending on the cause:

Bacterial conjunctivitis is typically treated with antibiotic eye drops.
Viral cases generally resolve on their own.
Allergic conjunctivitis requires a different approach, often antihistamine or anti-inflammatory drops.

5. Digital Eye Strain in Children

This one is a modern and fast-growing issue. Screen use has become a routine part of childhood, both at school and at home. Extended periods of close-up screen use can contribute to eye discomfort and visual fatigue.

Digital eye strain in children shows up as:

Headaches after screen time
Blurred vision
Dry or irritated eyes
Difficulty concentrating
Complaints of tired eyes by mid-afternoon.

Many parents attribute these symptoms to general tiredness or attention issues when the eyes are actually the source of the problem.

Practical Lifestyle Adjustments

A comprehensive paediatric eye examination can rule out minor, underlying vision issues that might be making digital eye strain significantly worse.

Beyond that, you can protect your child's eye health daily with a few simple lifestyle adjustments:

Parents can also help reduce digital eye strain and improve children's eye health through simple daily habits:

Enforce the 20-20-20 rule: Encourage your child to take a break every 20 minutes to look at something at least 20 feet (6 metres) away for at least 20 seconds to relax their eye muscles.
Optimise Room Lighting: Ensure the room is well-lit so their screen isn't the brightest light source in the room, which drastically reduces glare and eye fatigue.
Keep a Safe Distance: Teach your child to hold devices at "Harmon’s distance," which is roughly the distance from their elbow to their knuckles, instead of holding screens too close to their face.
Encourage Blinking: Remind them to blink fully and frequently while playing games or watching videos to keep their eyes naturally lubricated.

6. Colour Vision Deficiency (Colour Blindness)

Colour vision deficiency is a genetic issue and is present from birth. It affects around 8% of males and 0.5% of females. The most common form is difficulty in distinguishing between red and green.

Most children with colour vision deficiency can still see colors, but they perceive certain shades differently. They perceive colours differently from those with full-colour vision.

An optometrist can confirm colour vision deficiency during a routine eye examination using specialised colour plates.

How It Is Managed

The condition is not treatable, but knowing about it early allows parents, teachers, and the child to make informed adjustments, such as the following:

Selecting an alternative, non-colour-coded teaching resource
Labelling school supplies
Helping the child understand why certain things look different to them

7. Paediatric Eye Allergies and Dry Eye

Allergic eye reactions are common in children and often underestimated. Seasonal allergens like pollen, as well as year-round triggers like dust mites, animal dander, and mould, can cause the eyes to become itchy, red, and watery.

Frequent eye rubbing is common and can worsen irritation or introduce bacteria into the eyes.

Paediatric dry eye is also increasingly recognised as a real clinical issue, particularly in children who:

Spend long hours on screens
Live in dry or air-conditioned environments
Have underlying conditions that affect tear production.

How to Fix It

Treatment of eye allergies usually involves:

Allergen management
Lubricating eye drops
Using a cool compress over closed eyes
Anti-inflammatory drops prescribed by an optometrist.

How Advanced Eye Technology Helps Detect Problems Earlier

Reading a letter chart tells an optometrist whether a child can see clearly. But it does not tell them why or what is actually happening inside the eye. Modern diagnostic tools provide a much more detailed view of the eye's structure and function, helping practitioners identify issues more accurately.

Here is what makes a real difference in diagnosing paediatric problems:

Zeiss Clarus Ultra-Wide Retinal Imaging : This technology allows optometrists to examine much more of the retina than standard retinal photography. It picks up early structural changes linked to myopia that a standard camera would simply miss.
OCT Scanning : It helps clinicians examine the delicate structures inside the eye that cannot be seen during a routine eye examination. This is especially useful for children with amblyopia, strabismus, or a family history of retinal conditions.
IOL Master 500 : It measures the precise physical length of the eyeball at each visit. Because myopia progresses as the eye elongates, this method gives clinicians a clear, objective way to track progression and confirm whether treatment is actually working.
Zeiss HFA 3 Visual Field Analyser : It maps peripheral vision loss that a child would never notice or be able to describe on their own. This information is important when there is any concern about glaucoma or neurological involvement.

All these tools make it possible to catch problems well before symptoms show up, and that is precisely when treatment works best

Conclusion

Most children’s eye problems are highly manageable when they are caught early. The challenge is that children rarely self-report vision problems, which means the responsibility falls to parents and to regular professional eye examinations.

Understanding what to look for at home and knowing when to seek clinical advice makes a significant difference to long-term outcomes.

If you have noticed any of the warning signs discussed above, or if your child is due for a routine eye examination, a professional assessment is the right step to take. You can visit the team at Nazarian Optometrists in Blacktown. Our focus is on providing a gentle, welcoming environment where kids feel comfortable while we thoroughly assess their vision and visual development.

To make eye care accessible for local families, comprehensive children's examinations are bulk-billed under Medicare, and we welcome all health funds.

You can easily secure an appointment by calling the clinic or booking online.

FAQs

How often should children have a paediatric eye examination?

Most optometrists recommend annual eye examinations for school-aged children, even if no vision problem has been identified. Children already managing a condition like myopia or amblyopia may need check-ups every six months.

What happens during an infant eye exam?

An infant eye examination does not require the child to read letters or respond verbally. Optometrists use specialised techniques, including light reflexes, visual tracking assessment, and pupil responses, to evaluate eye alignment and early signs of refractive error. These examinations are non-invasive and entirely suitable for very young children.

Can a common eye illness spread between children?

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious and spread easily in schools and childcare settings through direct contact or touching communal surfaces. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. If your child is diagnosed with infectious conjunctivitis, keep them home until symptoms resolve to reduce the risk of spread to other children.

The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Pair of Glasses

Fri, 29 May 2026 07:21:31 GMT

A pair of glasses can look perfect in the store and still become frustrating to wear a few days later. Frames that slide down constantly, feel heavy on your nose, or leave pressure marks usually have less to do with style and more to do with poor fit.

Choosing glasses works differently from choosing clothes or shoes. Your frames affect how clearly you see, how comfortable you feel during long days, and even how thick your lenses appear.

In this guide, you will learn how to select eyeglass frames for your face. We will cover everything from frame fit and face shape to prescriptions, comfort, and lifestyle needs. So, let’s get started.

Quick Summary

The best glasses frames should suit your face shape, prescription, lifestyle, and comfort needs. A good fit keeps lenses aligned properly, reduces headaches, and improves all-day wear. Smaller frames often suit strong prescriptions better, while lightweight materials and professional fitting can make glasses feel more comfortable and natural to wear.

How to Choose the Right Glasses: Important Considerations

The best glasses frames fit your daily life first. Style matters, but comfort and visual clarity matter just as much. A pair of glasses may look fantastic under store lighting and still become frustrating after a few hours at work. That usually happens when people choose frames based only on appearance. So, make sure you consider the following factors when choosing the right frame for you.

Start With How You Actually Use Your Glasses

Someone who wears glasses for 12 hours a day needs different frames from someone who only uses reading glasses at home.

For example, office workers often spend hours looking at screens under bright lighting. Heavy frames can create pressure around the nose and temples during long workdays. Anti-reflective coatings can also reduce glare from monitors and overhead lights.

So, make sure that you think about how you use your glasses in your daily routine.

Remember Your Prescription Requirements

Many people do not realise that their prescription affects which frames will feel and function best for them. Strong prescriptions often create thicker lens edges, especially in oversized frames. On the other hand, smaller frames usually help reduce edge thickness because the lens requires less material around the outside.

Progressive and multifocal lenses also require sufficient vertical lens depth to function properly. And if you use very shallow fashion frames, they can make reading zones feel uncomfortable.

Therefore, you must take a close look at your prescription before buying a pair of glasses.

Don’t Forget to Consider Your Comfort

Comfort should be your top priority when selecting between different frames. A good pair of glasses should feel stable and natural after a few minutes of wear.

If you choose a poorly fitted frame by chance, it may cause the following inconveniences:

Pressure behind the ears
Red marks on the nose
Headaches
Slipping during conversations
Cheek rubbing when smiling

When glasses slide down constantly, the lens positioning shifts too. That movement can strain your eyes throughout the day because your pupils no longer sit in the correct optical centre of the lenses.

How to Know What Glasses Look Good on You

When you're wondering, "What type of frames should I get?" you often have another question: “How do I know a frame is the right fit for me?” The rule of thumb in this regard is that the glasses should balance your facial features and feel natural with your personal style. To ensure that, here is what you need to keep in mind:

Identify Your Face Shape

The way your face actually looks matters a lot in determining the right frame for you. Here is a general guide in this regard:

Structured frames that add definition often suit softer, round faces.
Curved frames can soften strong facial lines on angular faces.
Oval faces tend to work well with a wide variety of frame styles.
For heart-shaped faces, lighter lower-frame designs often create better balance.

Still, proportions matter more than labels.

For example, someone may technically have a round face but still suit softer round frames because of their nose bridge, eyebrow shape, or personal style.

Consider Your Skin Tone, Hair Colour and Personal Style

The colour of your frames can make your glasses stand out more or blend in naturally.

Tortoiseshell frames remain popular because they work with many skin tones and feel softer than solid black frames. On the other hand, transparent or translucent frames create a lighter appearance that many people prefer for daily office wear.

Darker frames often create more definition and contrast. That works well for people who want their glasses to stand out more intentionally.

If you wear glasses every day, choose a style that fits your actual wardrobe and routine. A bold fashion frame may feel exciting in-store but end up sitting in a drawer if it clashes with everything you wear.

How Should Glasses Fit Your Face Properly?

It's also important to understand how a glasses frame actually fits your face. Let’s walk through some essential considerations for the perfect fitting of glasses.

The Numbers on Glasses’ Frames

Most glasses include three numbers printed on the inside of the arm.

For example:

52-18-140

These numbers represent:

52mm lens width
18mm bridge width
140mm temple arm length

The bridge width affects how the glasses sit on your nose. Temple length affects how securely the glasses sit around your ears. So, if you want the frame to fit perfectly, you must know the exact lengths and widths. Even small measurement differences can create comfort and vision issues.

Signs Your Glasses Fit Correctly

Good-fitting glasses should:

Sit evenly across your face.
Keep your pupils centred in the lenses.
Stay secure when you move.
Avoid touching your cheeks.
Feel balanced without pinching.

Your eyebrows should usually remain visible above or near the frame line rather than sitting awkwardly inside the lenses.

Signs Your Frame Is the Wrong Fit

Here is a clear breakdown of what happens when a frame doesn’t fit you and how you can resolve that particular issue:

What Type of Frames Should You Get for Your Prescription?

Your prescription strength affects lens thickness, frame comfort, and visual performance. Let’s learn what type of glasses you should choose based on the prescribed lens requirements.

Best Frame Choices for Strong Prescriptions

Smaller frames usually work best for strong prescriptions because they reduce lens thickness around the edges. Full-rim frames also help conceal thicker lens edges better than rimless styles.

However, high-index or super-thin lenses can reduce weight and thickness further. A recent PubMed Central report explains that prescription accuracy and lens quality both play important roles in comfortable long-term vision.

Here is a quick comparison in this regard:

Choosing Frames for Multifocal or Progressive Lenses

Progressive lenses require sufficient vertical space for the distance, intermediate, and reading zones. And, if you go for very shallow frames, they can make the transitions feel compressed. People sometimes describe the experience as “searching” for the right viewing spot.

Frames with adequate depth usually provide smoother adaptation and more comfortable reading zones. So, make sure you choose glasses with enough lens space for clear vision at every distance.

Selecting Frames Based on Material Type

Frame material affects comfort more than many people expect. Titanium frames often feel lighter during long wear. In contrast, acetate frames provide durability and a wide range of colours and finishes.

People who wear glasses from morning until night usually notice weight differences quickly. Remember, if glasses leave deep marks or feel tiring after several hours, your frame weight or balance may need adjustment.

A Simple Checklist for Picking the Perfect Glasses

Now that you know what to consider before buying a perfect pair of glasses for you, let’s combine all the findings in a simple checklist. Here are the questions you need to ask yourself before making a purchase:

Do these frames feel comfortable after several minutes?
Does the frame suit my prescription strength?
Will these glasses work for my daily routine?
Do the lenses sit centred in front of my eyes?
Do the frames slide when I smile or move?
Could I comfortably wear these for eight hours?
Does the frame style actually suit my wardrobe and lifestyle?

The Final Words

We hope that this guide has truly helped you learn how to pick the perfect glasses for you. The best glasses do more than look good in a mirror. They support a clear vision, feel comfortable during long days, and fit naturally into your life.

Good frame selection combines style, fit, prescription needs, and practical comfort. If you overlook any part, you often end up adjusting, slipping off, or avoiding their glasses altogether.

Professional guidance can make that process much easier, especially for strong prescriptions, multifocal lenses, or long-term daily wear.

At Nazarian Optometrists , we help you find the right glasses that feel comfortable from the start. Whether you need children’s frames, multifocals, or fast prescription dispensing, you can get 2 pairs of designer glasses for just A$199.

Book an eye examination or speak with the team to find glasses that genuinely suit your eyes, lifestyle, and daily routine.

FAQs

How do I know if my frames are too wide?

If the frame slides down, sits unevenly, or extends too far beyond the sides of your face, it’s not the right fit for you. Your pupils may also sit off-centre within the lenses, which can affect visual comfort.

What glass frames make lenses look thinner?

Smaller full-rim frames usually help minimise visible lens thickness. Also, high-index or super-thin lenses can reduce edge thickness for stronger prescriptions.

Are lightweight glasses better for everyday wear?

In fact, they are made for everyday wear. Lightweight glasses mean you won’t feel excessive pressure around your nose and ears. For best results, you can go for titanium and lighter acetate frames, as they commonly improve long-term comfort.

Can the wrong glasses frames cause headaches?

Wrong glasses can cause headaches because they create pressure points and incorrect lens positioning. Both issues may contribute to headaches, eye strain, and visual fatigue during long wear. So, make sure that your glasses fit you perfectly.

What glasses suit round faces best?

For round faces, structured or angular frames often feel ideal. Still, your personal style, frame size, and overall proportions matter more than rigid face-shape rules.

Is it better to buy glasses online or in person?

In-person fitting usually provides better comfort, prescription alignment, and personalised adjustments, especially for multifocals or strong prescriptions. So, you must physically visit an eye health centre near you, like Nazarian Optometrists, for the best results.

What’s the Difference Between Polarised and Non-Polarised Lenses?

jnoptometrist@gmail.com (Optometrist) — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 04:02:39 GMT

Ever wondered what’s the difference between polarised and non polarised lenses? Well, it happens.

The sunglasses aisle can be confusing. You might ask yourself, what does polarised sunglasses mean? Are they essential for eye health, or just a fancy feature?

At Nazarian Optometrists, we’re here to help you make sense of it all.

By the end of this guide, you will understand what are polarised sunglasses, how polarised lenses work, how they differ from non polarised lenses, when to choose each, and what to look for. Whether you want a pair of polarised, prescription lenses, or standard shades to protect your eyes from UV light, we're here to help you make an informed choice.

What Are Polarised Lenses?

Imagine you're driving on a sunny day. The road is blinding, your dashboard is reflecting sunlight, and the car in front has a glare that’s impossible to ignore. That harsh light is called "glare," and it's often caused by light bouncing off flat surfaces. This is where polarised lenses come in.

What are polarised lenses? In simple terms, they’re lenses with a special filter that blocks horizontal light waves, which are ones that cause glare. Vertical light still gets through, so you can see clearly, without the shine and shimmer getting in the way.

Key Benefits

Reduce glare significantly from water, snow, roads, glass, and shiny surfaces
Improve contrast and colour clarity , making scenes appear sharper
May reduce eye strain and fatigue, since your eyes do not have to work as hard in bright light
Ideal for driving at night and daytime driving , with better vision and fewer distractions
Provide comfort during long exposure to UV rays and blue light near reflective surfaces

Ideal Uses

Driving under bright skies, where road glare is a hazard
Near water for boating or fishing , so you can see beneath the surface
In high-glare snow conditions, such as skiing, where snowy environments can cause glare
In sports like cycling, golf, or running, to reduce glare from pavement or wet roads
Anywhere you spend a lot of time outside and want to protect your eyes from UV and harmful UV rays

What About Non-Polarised Lenses?

Now, just because a pair of sunglasses isn't polarised doesn't mean they're not helpful to your eyesight.

Non-polarised lenses are still tinted to reduce brightness, but they don’t have that glare-blocking filter. They simply cut down the overall light entering your eyes, which is enough for many everyday situations.

Key Benefits

Reduce overall brightness of daylight
Often come with UV protection , safeguarding from ultraviolet rays
Are generally more affordable than their polarised counterparts
Do not cause visual distortion when looking at LCD screens , phones, or GPS devices

Ideal Uses

Everyday use, walking around town or errands where glare is not extreme
When using digital devices outside, as polarised sunglasses may distort the view
Casual leisure moments like park visits or outdoor cafés
Interior-to-exterior transitions where screens need to remain visible
When you want UV protection on a budget, without needing glare reduction

How Do Polarised vs Non‑Polarised Sunglasses Compare?

Here's a quick comparison to make things simple:

The big takeaway? Polarised lenses enhance vision and comfort in bright, reflective environments. Non-polarised lenses are a great general-purpose option, especially for people who don’t often deal with glare.

If you’re still torn between the two, think about how and where you’ll wear them.

When to Choose Polarised or Non‑Polarised Lenses

And here’s something important that you need to remember: not all polarised sunglasses come with UV protection . So always check the label or ask your optometrist before buying.

How to Choose the Right Pair

1. Assess your activities

If you spend time outdoors, near reflective surfaces, skiing, boating or driving, you will benefit from wearing polarised lenses . For city walking or relaxed indoor-outdoor lifestyle, non polarised lenses might work well.

2. Think about digital screens

For people who rely on phones or GPS, non polarised sunglasses are friendlier to digital displays.

3. Check for UV protection

Always look for UV400 or wording indicating filter light up to 400nm. This detail helps block ultraviolet rays and harmful UV rays .

4. Decide on prescription

Both lens types can be made as prescription lenses , so you don’t have to compromise between vision correction and glare control.

5. Evaluate cost vs benefit

Consider if you have to spend more to gain significant visual comfort and safety. Yes, polarized glasses cost more, but their benefits often justify the price for frequent outdoor users.

6. Test before you buy

You can try them on indoors and check devices for distortion, then step outside to assess glare and comfort. You can also test by tilting sunglasses in front of a phone screen, polarized lenses will make the screen darken sharply.

So, Are Polarised Lenses Worth It?

Unfortunately, the cliche answer we can give you is that it all depends on your lifestyle because that's the truth. If you spend a lot of time outdoors like driving, walking, at the beach, or on the water, polarised sunglasses will make a noticeable difference. They protect your eyes, improve comfort, and let you see the world more clearly.

But if you’re someone who mostly wears sunglasses for short walks, while running errands, or if you rely on your phone or in-car screens often, then a non-polarised pair might suit you better.

Still unsure? Visit Nazarian Optometrists and try both options for yourself. We'll help you choose the perfect lenses based on your needs, lifestyle and budget.

Symptoms of Possible Eye Problems in Children

jnoptometrist@gmail.com (Optometrist) — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 04:02:36 GMT

Is your child struggling to see and experiencing blurred vision?

Many eye disorders in childhood go unnoticed for months (or even years) because children often assume everyone sees the world the same way they do. That’s why it’s important for parents to remain vigilant and watch out for signs of blurry vision or other eye diseases! Spotting potential problems with eyesight early can make all the difference in your child’s development, learning, and confidence.

At Nazarian Optometrists, we regularly help parents just like you catch the early signs of children’s eye problems before they become long-term issues. In this guide, you’ll learn what’s normal, what’s not, and how to recognise symptoms of common eye problems at every stage of childhood

Key Symptoms of Vision Problems in Infants and Toddlers

You don't want your child to experience permanent vision loss just because you've neglected to see the early warning signs. The earlier eye issues are identified, the easier they are to treat. Here are some red flags in babies and toddlers:

One affected eye turning inwards or outwards (strabismus)
Cloudiness or a white pupil in photos (could indicate cataracts)
Lack of eye contact or not following moving objects
Constant eye rubbing , squinting, or light sensitivity
Delayed crawling or walking , possibly due to depth perception issues

One of the most important conditions to look for is lazy eye in infants (amblyopia), where one eye becomes weaker than the other. This is most treatable in early childhood, but it often shows no clear symptoms unless you’re looking for them.

Warning Signs of Eye Conditions in Preschool and Primary School Children

As children grow, so do the signs that their vision may be off. Here’s what to watch for in kids aged 3–10:

Squinting when looking straight ahead or looking at books, screens, or faraway objects
Sitting very close to the TV or holding devices too close
Covering one eye while trying to focus
Complaints of headaches , especially after reading or writing
Avoiding reading, colouring, or detailed tasks
Clumsiness or bumping into things or poor hand-eye coordination
Tilting the head or turning it to the side when focusing

Many of these signs can be mistaken for behavioural or learning difficulties. In some cases, children with undiagnosed vision problems are even mislabelled as having attention issues. A simple eye exam can often reveal the real cause.

Common Eye Problems in Children by Age

Eye disorders in childhood can show up in different ways depending on their age. Here are the most common eye problems by age :

Infants (0–2 years): Lazy eye, congenital cataracts, blocked tear ducts
Toddlers (2–4 years): Strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye)
Primary school age (5–10 years): Myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism and other refractive errors

Each of these conditions affects vision differently. Types of vision problems like myopia may cause distance to appear blurry, while astigmatism can distort shapes and letters, making reading more difficult.

The good news? Most poor vision issues are treatable by prescription lenses and other corrective solutions, especially when caught early.

When to Get Your Child’s Eyes Tested

Many parents wait until a teacher notices a problem, but there’s no need to delay. Vision screenings at school aren’t always enough to catch subtle issues. If you want your child to have and retain good vision, here’s a general rule of thumb:

First test at 6–12 months old
Follow-up at age 3, then before starting school
Every two years after that , or sooner if symptoms appear

Regular check-ups are crucial, even if there are no obvious signs of trouble. Family history can also play a big role in your child's visual system so be sure to consider all factors in. Many vision issues develop slowly over time, and children may not realise anything is wrong.

What to Do if You’re Worried

If anything in this guide rings true for your child, trust your instincts. Even if the symptoms seem minor, an early exam could make all the difference. Vision problems left untreated can lead to permanent issues, but most can be managed or corrected if caught early.

At Nazarian Optometrists, we offer gentle, child-friendly eye exams that take the guesswork out of your child’s vision. Our optometrists are trained to detect all types of children’s eye problems and explain everything in clear, calm language. We also help your child get prescription glasses that match their style and face frame.

Whether you need clear lens, eye drops or other eye treatment, we're here to help you and your child.

Children's Eye Problems Should Be Treated Early!

Children don’t always know how to describe vision problems, but their behaviour often tells the story. By understanding the symptoms, acting early, and getting expert help, you can protect your child’s eyesight and give them the best chance at thriving in school, sport, and life. If you notice any eye strain or vision issues, seek help from a trusted eye specialist.

Book a children’s eye exam today with Nazarian Optometrists , because your child’s vision should never be left to chance.

Myopia Myths and Treatments for Short Sightedness

jnoptometrist@gmail.com (Optometrist) — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:58:27 GMT

Maybe you’ve heard that glasses will “fix” it. Or that only kids get it. Or that once it starts, it just keeps getting worse forever. These ideas sound familiar because they’re everywhere. But are they true?

At Nazarian Optometrists, we want to help you get accurate information about eye problems and vision correction. Whether you’re worried about your child’s eyesight or dealing with your own changing vision, understanding the facts can make all the difference.

In this blog, you'll learn the top myths around short-sightedness and learn treatments that are actually worth your attention, so you can make informed decisions about your or your child's eye health.

What Is Vision With Myopia Really Like?

If you’ve never experienced short-sightedness yourself, it can be hard to picture what it’s actually like. But understanding how myopia affects vision helps explain why early detection and treatment matter so much.

Seeing the World Through a Myopic Blurred Vision

People with myopia can see objects clearly up close, but things in the distance look blurred. For example, reading a book might feel fine, but road signs, classroom whiteboards, or even faces across a room can appear fuzzy or out of focus.

This happens because the eye grows too long from front to back, or the cornea (the front surface of the eye) is too curved. As a result, light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina instead of directly on it. That’s what causes the blurred distance vision.

Children often don’t realise there’s a problem. They might think it’s normal not to see the board at school or to squint at the TV. That’s why regular eye checks are so important, even if your child hasn’t said anything.

How Is This Different From Hyperopia?

While myopia affects near distance vision, hyperopia (long-sightedness) is the opposite. People with hyperopia can usually see distant objects clearly but have blurry vision with things that are near. That's why they struggle to read or do any close-up tasks.

In children, mild hyperopia often goes unnoticed because their eyes can compensate by focusing harder. But that extra effort can lead to eye strain, headaches, or even reading difficulties. This is why hyperopia treatment in children matters too, even if they seem to see well.

Understanding the difference between myopia and hyperopia can help you recognise when something isn’t quite right, whether it’s difficulty seeing far away or complaints about reading.

Top 3 Myths About Myopia

When it comes to short-sightedness, myths can be just as harmful as the condition itself. Let’s unpack the three most common misconceptions and replace them with facts that actually help.

Myth 1: Myopia Can Be Cured with Glasses or Laser Refractive Surgery

It’s easy to assume that once someone puts on glasses or has laser eye surgery, the problem is “fixed”. But here’s the truth: glasses and surgery correct your vision, but they don’t cure the condition.

Think of it like this: glasses are like crutches for a sprained ankle. They help you function, but they don’t heal the root cause. Similarly, laser surgery reshapes the front surface of the eye to improve focus, but it doesn’t stop myopia from progressing, especially if it’s done too early in life.

Myth 2: Only Kids Get Myopia (Childhood Myopia)

It’s true that most myopia starts in childhood, often between ages 6 and 14, but adults can absolutely develop or worsen myopia too.

If you’ve noticed your distance vision getting blurrier in your 20s, 30s, or even 40s, you're not imagining it. Extended screen time, less outdoor exposure, and even lifestyle stressors can all influence eye strain and myopic changes over time.

And for parents: even if your child is under 6 and hasn't shown symptoms yet, that doesn’t mean they’re in the clear. Myopia can appear suddenly and progress rapidly, especially if there are risk factors like family history.

Myth 3: Myopia Control is Impossible. It Always Gets Worse Over Time.

This one’s partly true, but also very preventable.

Yes, myopia often progresses as children grow. But thanks to modern optometry, we now have tools like glasses or contact lenses to slow or stabilise this progression. Treatments like low-dose atropine drops, ortho-k lenses worn overnight, and even encouraging more outdoor time have all been shown to help.

Without any form of intervention, myopia can worsen into high myopia, which increases the risk of serious eye conditions later in life like retinal detachment or glaucoma.

Can Myopia Be Reversed or Cured ?

This is one of the most common and important questions people ask and it's very understandable. If you or your child is near-sighted, you naturally want to know if there's a way to get myopia treated or get rid of for good.

The short answer is unfortunately, no, but there’s more to it.

Unfortunately, myopia cannot be “cured” in the traditional sense , at least not with today’s science. Once the eye has grown into a myopic shape, there’s no way to reverse it completely. That’s why the idea of simply curing it with glasses or laser surgery is misleading.

But that doesn’t mean there’s no hope. Far from it.

What About Reversal?

Some people use the term “reversing myopia” when they’re talking about Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) , a treatment where specially designed lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea. In the morning, the lenses are removed, and vision remains clear throughout the day without glasses.

This can feel like reversal, but it’s temporary. Once you stop wearing the lenses, the cornea returns to its original shape and the myopia returns.

Similarly, laser eye surgery (like LASIK) can remove the need for glasses in adults, but again, this doesn’t reverse the underlying structure of the eye — it just adjusts the cornea to redirect light properly.

What You Can Do: Treatments For Myopia Development

The real win comes from slowing or stopping myopia progression , especially in children and teens. Treatments like low-dose atropine drops, Ortho-K, or special soft contact lenses have all shown strong results in managing how quickly myopia worsens over time.

So while we can’t cure myopia (yet), we can take meaningful steps to stop it from getting worse — and that’s a major step forward.

1. Glasses and Contact Lenses

Standard glasses and soft contact lenses help correct blurry distance vision, but they don’t treat the root cause or slow progression. That said, they’re often the first step in managing short-sightedness, especially for children who need immediate help seeing clearly at school.

Newer options, like myopia control lenses , are specially designed to both correct vision and reduce the eye’s tendency to grow longer. These are available in both glasses and contact lens formats.

2. Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery is a popular option for adults with myopia who want to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contact lenses. The procedure works by reshaping the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, so that light focuses correctly on the retina.

This improves distance vision significantly and can provide long-term visual freedom. However, it’s important to understand that laser surgery does not cure myopia; it simply corrects the way your eye bends light rays. It doesn’t stop progression, so it's generally recommended only for adults whose vision has been stable for at least a year.

Laser surgery is not suitable for children or teenagers, and it doesn't prevent future age-related eye changes. A thorough consultation is essential to check if you're a good candidate based on your eye health, prescription stability, and lifestyle needs.

3. Lifestyle and Behavioural Changes

Simple habits can make a real impact too. Here’s what the research supports:

More outdoor time : Children who spend at least 90 minutes a day outside are less likely to develop or worsen myopia.
Screen breaks : Follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Good lighting : Reading or using screens in low light puts more strain on the eyes.

These changes are not treatments by themselves, but they are essential parts of an effective long-term management plan.

What You Can Do Now to Protect Your (or Your Child’s) Eye Health

By now, it’s clear that while myopia can’t be cured, there’s a lot you can do to manage it effectively. The earlier you act, the better the result, especially when it comes to protecting long-term eye health.

If it’s been more than a year since your child’s last eye check, or if they’ve never had one, now is the time. Children often don’t complain about vision problems because they don’t realise their sight is any different from anyone else’s.

Myopia is incredibly common, but it doesn’t have to be a mystery, or a worry. With the right guidance, treatments, and habits, you can take control of your or your child’s vision and protect it for the long term. You may not be able correct myopia but you can surely find a way to improve or even treat impaired vision.

If you're ready to learn more or book an appointment, the team at Nazarian Optometrists is here to help.

Children’s Eye Health: Tips & Vision Insights

Fri, 06 May 2022 07:07:53 GMT

We at Nazarian Optometry are concerned about the rising number of school aged children with short sightedness (Myopia). In our community we are seeing an increase in cases, especially if there is a family history of Myopia.

Myopia has become an almost epidemic for school age children around the world, for example the incidence are:

China 85%
South Korea 73%
Europe 43%
North America 40%

In Australia the prevalence of Myopia is about 5% and increasing, this has doubled in the last 10 years. To prevent the progression of this problem, at our practice we have been treating patients with Atropine drops for a few years.

Atropine as a pharmaceutical medication has been known for many years to reduce myopia progression; researchers found that low concentrations of atropine is effective in controlling myopia. The ATOM1 Myopia study in Singapore found with a low-dose form of atropine, there was around 50% reduction in rate of progression.

Atropine eye drops are placed in the child’s eyes once a day, at nighttime before sleep. A one-week trial is recommended to ensure no unexpected side effects. The child's usual form of vision correction; glasses and/or contact lenses — are worn. Treatment effect is monitored every 3 months. Length of treatment is typically 2 years but can vary after evaluation of its myopia control effect on the child.

In addition to Atropine treatment we advise all parents wanting to minimize the progression of short sightedness to consider the following:

Reduce unnecessary near work on digital devices such as mobile phones and iPads.
Increase outdoor activity
Don’t use LED lamps for homework but use florescent lamps.

We at Nazarian Optometrist are passionate about our work and want to assist all children in our community. Our goal is to minimize progression of short sightedness. We have specialized clinics and equipment to monitor and treat all school aged children with Atropine eye drops. We continue to bulk bill all our treatments. If you have any concerns about your child’s vision or want to prevent any worsening of their eyesight, please contact us for a bulk billed examination.

Diabetes & Eye Health: Key Insights & Tips

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 08:04:01 GMT

At Nazarian Optometry, we are passionate about our work and concerned about the prevalence of Diabetes in our community. I'm here to discuss in this newsletter, the importance of having your Diabetes assessed and the damage that it could cause to your eyes. I have been involved in setting up the C-EYE-C Clinic in Western Sydney at my premises in collaboration with Westmead Eye Hospital (the second largest Ophthalmology service in NSW) to screen and triage patient and provide a express pathway for treatment. In doing so we have won two state awards. Before I started this project there was a 9 month wait for treatment, we have reduced that now to less than 3 months, and in doing so we have reduced the cost of the eye hospital by 22%.

I want to discuss now about Diabetes and the eye disease it can cause, the following points are what I want you to consider:

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness and visual disability.
Diabetes eye disease affects 1 in 3 people with Diabetes.
2014-2015 National Eye Survey found 28.5% of Diabetics had Diabetes eye disease and 4.5% had vision - threatening eye disease.
98% of this can be prevented.
Vision screening is essential in preventing eye disease.

People living in Western Sydney have twice the chance of having Diabetes compared to people living in Coastal or Northern suburbs, this is a huge concern to me and my practice, and it has long been known that at least 50% of Diabetics eye disease is undetected. It is projected that prevalence of Diabetes will rise between 15-45% in the coming years.

A study done at Blacktown Hospital named DR SPOC study showed that 40% of patients admitted to Blacktown Hospital had Diabetes compared to the national average of 28%, and of those 16% had vision-threatening eye disease compared to national average of 4.5%. This shows the severity of the problem in my community, and this is why we like to share this information with my patients.

At Nazarian Optometry we are passionate about our work, individuals who don't have there eyes checked are more likely to develop eye disease. At our practice we are fully equipped with the latest technology and can provide quick access to Westmead Eye Hospital to all our patients using the C-EYE-C pathway. Please if you have family history of Diabetes or feel that you're overweight, see your GP and have a HBA1c blood test to rule out diabetes, and visit Nazarian Optometrists for eye assessment, we don't charge like other practices we Bulk-Bill all our eye examinations for your convenience.

Thanks,

Joseph Nazarian

B.Optom. M.Sc.Optom.