Some forms of conductive deafness may be remedied by a fenestration operation or stapes mobilisation. Eye disorders Blindness Inability to see. The leading causes in Australia are cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Cataract An opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye, which can prevent light from reaching the retina at the back of the eye. Cataract is increasingly frequent as people grow older and its occurrence doubles with each decade after the age of 40 years.
Cataract develops progressively.
At an early stage, cataract may only reduce vision a little, but with time a mature cataract can cause marked blindness. Because a cataract forms in the lens of the eye, the eye will not focus properly after cataract surgery without a replacement lens. An intraocular lens is now implanted at the time of surgery for this purpose. Glaucoma A condition where abnormally high pressure of the fluid in the eye causes damage. Diabetic retinopathy is characterised by the presence of retinal microvascular lesions.