EYE CONDITIONS
GLAUCOMA
GLAUCOMA is a serious ocular condition which leads to loss of vision and even blindness if left untreated.
In glaucoma, generally, a build up of pressure inside the eye causes damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye. The good news is that when caught and treated early, glaucoma patients usually enjoy good eyesight and maintain the ability to drive, read small print, etc.It can often be managed well with just the use of eyedrops.
As glaucoma is, for the most part, painless; and vision loss is often not noticeable until there is significant disease progression , it is extremely important to have regular eye tests .
CATARACTS
Vision through a Cataract
CATARACTS A cataract is a clouding of, the normally clear, crystalline lens inside the eye.
Cataracts are painless and generally develop slowly. They occur as we age but conditions such as diabetes can cause accelerated development. As a cataract matures it causes a reduction in clarity and quality of vision and often produces symptoms of glare and reduced contrast. Cataracts can be removed surgically when necessary. We look for early lens changes during routine eye examinations and if noted we can monitor their development with frequent eye checks.
MACULAR DEGENERATION
MACULAR DEGENERATION is becoming more prevalent as we are living longer. In fact AMD (age related macular degeneration) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50 in Ireland. Macular degeneration affects a small (approx 5mm in diameter) but vital part of the retina at the back of your eye-the macula -which is responsible for central vision. Central vision is required for detailed tasks and for reading and driving.
For more information on AMD, please click here
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY Diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina) is a common complication of diabetes which affects the small blood vessels in the retina and can lead to vision loss and if severe, even blindness. Diabetic retinopathy affects about 80% of diabetics after 10 years of having diabetes. At Macroom Opticians we use a top of the range retinal camera to take detailed images of the posterior retinal pole to screen for diabetic retinopathy. When diabetic retinopathy is caught early treatment can reduce and even prevent damage to sight.
FLASHES AND FLOATERS
FLASHES AND FLOATERS It is not unusual to sometimes see little specks or clouds moving in your field of vision. These “floaters” are actually little clumps of cells moving in the vitreous gel inside your eye. What you see is not actually the floater but the shadow it casts on the retina at the back of your eye. Floaters are more often present in shortsighted eyes and their prevalence increases significantly with time. FLASHES are sparks or strands of light that flicker across your field of view. While flashes can be harmless they can be an early warning sign of retinal detachment which can lead to permanent vision loss. It is important to have your eyes examined if you notice sudden onset of floaters or flashes.
DRY EYES
DRY EYES Dry Eye-Syndrome or Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears, which lubricate the front of the eyes, leading to friction as the eyelids rub off the front surfaces of the eyes. Symptoms of dry eyes include itching, stinging, burning, foreign body sensation, excessive tearing, blurry vision that improves with blinking.
Often you will have excess tears running down your cheek. So therefore it can be quite confusing to be diagnosed with dry eye. If your eyes stream like this, it is likely that they are not being lubricated enough and are producing more tears to compensate. However, these tears are mostly water and do not have the lubricating qualities or the rich composition of normal tears. They will wash debris away, but they will not lubricate the eye surface effectively.
