Eye Health

Many of the most common medical conditions which can affect your sight can be identified and managed if treated properly.

Some of the most common eye conditions are:

1. Glaucoma

In order to perform its required function, the eyeball required a specific amount internal pressure, which is provided by a flow of liquid. A pressure imbalance can cause damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye, which is called Glaucoma. This causes irreparable damage to the optic nerve, which carries information from your eye to your brain.

There are three types of common glaucoma: chronic, acute, secondary.

Chronic glaucoma becomes more common with increasing age. It is uncommon in under 40s and affects 1% of people over this age and 5% over 65.

Glaucoma facts:

Peripheral vision is affected after creating a ‘tunnel’ effect

Consequences include difficulty with mobility and physical hazards

Early detection is essential to inhibit damage and protect vision

Existing damage cannot be repaired.

2. Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common cause of treatable vision loss in the UK, and are largely age-related with 26% of cases of eye degeneration and sight loss in people over 75 estimated to be due to cataracts, of which 90% of cases can be successfully treated. In younger people, cataracts may be caused by diabetes or other eyesight problems.

Cataracts are caused by the clouding of the lens of the eye and some early symptoms include:

Vision difficulties including blurred vision

Difficulty seeing in dim lighting

Faded colour vision

Being dazzled by lights

3. Macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration, commonly known as AMD, is the greatest cause of visual loss in older people. It is caused by progressive damage to the central part of the retina (the macula).

AMD can result in a profound vision loss although the condition seldom leads to total sight loss, since only central vision is restricted.

Common AMD symptoms include:

Blurring of central vision

Blank or dark patches appearing in the middle of your sight

Objects appearing unusual sizes and shapes

Straight lines appearing curved