HAVE YOU HAD YOUR EYES PHOTOGRAPHED YET?
Common eye complaints explained
BLEPHARITIS: this is inflammation of the eyelid margins. The eyelids feel sticky especially in the morning and it can cause a dry/gritty sensation in the eye. Also the sensation of watery eyes is common. Initial treatment is with lid hygiene exercises.
We recommend that you follow this lid hygiene regime for 20 days.
- Cleaning the lid margins of both eyes every morning and ever night with SUPRANETTES. This is a sterile lid wipe especially designed for this purpose. Clean along the lid margins along the top and bottom lids outside only.
- Hot lid compressions. Take a flannel and run it under the hot tap until warm. Lay the flannel over the eyes fro 40-60seconds to heat up the eyelids. Then firmly compress the eyelid margins (top and bottom lids). Do not worry if the eyes feel oily, it is a good sign.
- If the eyes are gritty or dry, then use SYSTANE four times a day. SYSTANE is an artificial tear especially designed to last longer in the eye and increase comfort levels.
Following this regime will usually clear the problem. However it must be noted that this is a recurrent problem, which will probably have to be repeated in the future. Hopefully not too often.
If this does not clear the problem then you would need to make an appointment with us to investigate the problem further.
CATARACTS: these are opacities in the lens of the eye. There are many forms of this that dictate the severity and speed of the vision loss. Generally this is not a disease. It is normal age changes. The lens, as time goes by, becomes cloudy and therefore makes it more difficult for you to see well enough to carry out your daily activities. A cataract develops slowly and restricts the amount of light entering the eye causing blurriness. If the cataract is removed, your vision could stay the same or could get worse but mostly >80% see an improvement. One or both eyes could be affected, but the cataract cannot spread from one eye to the other.
Treatment: We would give you a through examination, which would include dilation of the eyes and assessment of whether removal of the cataract would be beneficial. This would require us to put drops in the eyes to make the pupil remain large so that a clear view of the cataract and any problems with the eye could be documented and dealt with. We would then directly refer you to your desired eye department of choice where you would be treated. The only treatment for cataract is an operation.
AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (ARMD): This is a sight threatening disease commonly associated with old age. It causes loss of central vision and is the leading cause of registered vision impairment for people over 50 in the western world. There are two types
- Wet ARMD: this is an aggressive type, which reduces your vision quickly. There is some treatment for this type. Please contact us for further information.
- Dry ARMD: this is more common and has a slow progression. The central vision distorts over time making reading and discerning detail more difficult. There is no treatment for this type of ARMD. However, latest findings show that by using supplements and/or changing your diet may help to reduce the risk of progression and even the onset of dry ARMD
We recommend that anyone worried about this please contact us for a specific analysis of what is best suited for you.
Recommendations for ARMD.
I CAPS: this is the world’s leading brand for vitamin supplements which is recommended by consultant ophthalmologists all over the country. It was carefully developed for your needs to try and reduce the risk of ARMD.
Diet: In general a good balanced diet with particular attention to dark green vegetables is required. What you need is Lutein, which is found in the following table of foods (this list is not exhaustive at all)
Wear sunglasses: Ultra-violet light is a cause. We have a large range of fully protective eyewear, visit us to see the whole range or click here.
Stop smoking: indicated.
For printable chart please click here
| Food | mg/serving |
| Kale (raw) | 33.8/1 cup |
| Kale (cooked) | 22.1/1 cup |
| Turnip Greens (cooked) | 18.1/1 cup |
| Collard Greens (cooked) | 17.2/1 cup |
| Spinach (fresh, raw) | 15/1 cup |
| Spinach (cooked) | 6.7/1 cup |
| Broccoli | 3.4/1 cup |
| Corn (cooked) | 2.9/1 cup |
| Green Peas (canned) | 2.3/1 cup |
| Lettuce (Cos or Romaine) | 2.3/1 cup |
| Lettuce (Iceberg) | 0.6/1 cup |
| Brussels sprout (cooked) | 2.3/1 cup |
| Corn (canned) | 1.4/1 cup |
| Eggs (two) | 0.5/2 medium |
| Green Beans | 0.76/cup |
| Orange Juice | 0.50/12oz |
| Oranges | 0.49/2 medium |
| Papayas | 0.45/2 medium |
GLAUCOMA: There are several different types of Glaucoma that if treatment is not provided can cause a gradual visual loss. Simple primary glaucoma does not have any symptoms in the early stages, risk factors to be aware of are family history, myopia and diabetes. It can be caused by an increase in pressure within the eye; this can either be caused by an increased rate of production of the aqueous fluid within the eye or a blockage of the angle that allows the fluid to leave the eye.
If there is a family history of glaucoma we recommend annual sight tests from the age of 40 years.
Management: when performing a sight test the optician when looking at the back of your eye would undertake an analysis of the optic nerve head. It is worthwhile to have a photograph taken of the fundus; this allows the detection of any small changes in appearance at the optic nerve head. The pressure in the eye will be measured and a visual field test performed to check your peripheral fields are clear. If any of these measurements are found to be abnormal you would then be referred to the local eye hospital for further investigation. If treatment is required there are several options available, the hospital should decide which is best for you; this can involve either eye drops, laser, an operation or a combination of the 3.
CONJUNCTIVITIS: This is the most likely cause of red eye. Your eye will appear red and there may be discharge, your eyes will feel gritty, burning and watery. It can affect one or both eyes. There are several different types and it is best to visit us to determine which type is affecting your eyes.
Treatment: Following visiting us further treatment may be required this may involve being referred to the eye department to check from further complication, or may involve the instillation of Chloramphenical drops every four hours for ten days until the infection clears (the optician will advise you what is best for your eyes). It is important if you suspect that you have conjunctivitis to use separate towels from any family members and keep hygiene levels high to minimise the risk of infection to other individuals. Some types of conjunctivitis require no treatment and will clear up by them selves over the course of a few weeks.
RETINAL DETACHMENTS: Many of you will have been asked when visiting your opticians whether you have ever experienced flashing lights, this is one of the key symptoms of retinal detachments (though flashing lights can indicate other eye conditions which are not necessarily as serious).
A retinal detachment is when the sensory layer at the back of the eye peels away from the under lying tissue. This prevents the sensory layer of the retina from receiving nutrients and can lead to the death of the cells in the detached area if treatment does not occur soon enough. This is classified as an optical emergency, it is worth while if you experience flashing lights, a sudden increase in floaters or any strange shadows or veils to go straight to your optician for further examination.
The optician will dilate your pupil when you visit to maximise the area of your retina that is visible when they examine your eyes. If there is any suspicion of a retinal detachment then you will be referred for further investigation at the local hospital.
If a retinal detachment is found then either an operation or laser treatment will be required to try and aid reattachment of the retina to prevent further visual loss.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: If you suffer with diabetes you should already be having retinal screening through your Doctor at least once every 2 years, it is also important to have your eyes tested every year as diabetes can effect the eye in many ways and it is important to keep a close watch on it.
Diabetes can affect the eyes in many different ways, one of the most noticeable effect to you is the variation it can cause in the prescription. This can mean that on some days a clear image will be obtained and on other days the image will appear blurred. Once the diabetes is under control these changes should be minimised and not be that apparent to you. Cataracts are more likely to appear at an earlier age (the treatment is the same as for other types of cataract).
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects the eye, the prevalence increases with the duration of diabetes and if the diabetes is not kept under control. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that involves changes in the blood vessels, which can lead to the leakage of blood or fluid from the vessels. This leakage can cause damage to the eye and effect your vision, this is why it is very important to attend regular eye check ups. There are different stages of this condition, and depending on the stage treatment may be required to try and minimise future damage to the retina and loss of vision. If we detect any signs of diabetic retinopathy that may be a risk to your vision we will refer you to hospital where they will determine the best course of action.
DRY EYE: Dry Eye is a condition that can be caused by many different factors. It can be caused by a deficiency in production of the tear film, instability of the tear film or poor blinking rate.
Symptoms are an itchy, gritty sensation in your eye, this may be asymmetrical between the eyes. Your eyes may appear slightly red.
Dry eye can be caused by many systemic conditions, for example Arthritis. It can be caused by a blockage of the glands that secrete the tears, if this is the case warm compresses may be required, your optician will explain how to perform these.
To alleviate the symptoms of dry eye in most cases the use of an artificial tear drop is beneficial. SYSTANE is a type of dry eye drop that is designed to last longer and increase your eyes comfort level.