Eye Problems

Cataracts
A cataract is where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, making it difficult to see. You may find that things look cloudy or blurred, bright lights dazzle, you may see double in the affected eye, there is no pain or discomfort caused by the cataract.

The most common cause of cataracts is ageing, but occasionally they occur because of injury to the eye, or as a complication of other medical conditions. Some symptons include, slight blurring of vision, spectacles always seem to need cleaning, seeing slightly double, change of colour vision, becoming more yellow, difficulty with glare and bright lights.

In the early stages of cataract new spectacles may help you to see clearer. Cataracts can worsen quite quickly or very slowly but eventually an operation may be needed. When your vision has become so poor that it seriously affects everyday life - such as driving, watching TV, or reading - then we will be happy to refer you to an eye specialist, called an ophthalmologist, in the hospital. The ophthalmologist will assess your eyes and help you decide about an operation, but don't worry - these days a cataract operation is quite straightforward. It is often carried out under local anaesthetic, and usually as a day-case (no overnight stay). The cloudy lens inside your eye is removed and replaced with a new, clear lens made of special plastic. Afterwards, your vision is usually much better, unless there are other reasons for your poor sight besides the cataract.

Diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that may affect anyone who has diabetes, whether they are being treated with insulin, tablets or just diet. Initially the sufferer may be quite unaware that diabetic retinopathy is developing at the back of their eye. For this reason annual screening is vital in order to detect vision threatening retinopathy before vision is affected or lost.

Your best defence against retinopathy is to have an annual diabetic retinopathy screening as part of your annual diabetes review. You should always keep up-to-date with your regular eye examinations. Silver & Rose will continue to monitor the general condition and prescription of your eyes. Don't wait until you notice a change in your vision. Diabetic Retinopathy often has no symptoms until it is well advanced and this makes treatment more difficult and not always as effective.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve (at the back of the eye) is damaged. The damage usually happens by increased pressure from the fluid in the eye. The amount of damage depends on the amount of pressure and how long it has lasted.

Chronic Glaucoma. The danger with chronic glaucoma (slow onset) is that your eyesight may seem perfectly normal. There is no pain, but your peripheral vision (side vision) is being damaged. Eventually your central vision will be affected. At this stage we describe if as 'tunnel vision' (like looking down a long tube).

Here at Silver & Rose, we test people for chronic glaucoma. Those most at risk of chronic glaucoma are aged over 40, or of Afro-Caribbean origian (earlier than 40), or people with a close relative who has chronic glaucoma, very short-sighted people, and people with diabetes. If detected early enough the disease can be controlled. Treatment aims to reduce the pressure in the eye. It will be done under the hospital and usually starts with eye drops. You will need regular checks afterwards. You may need an operation if the eye drops do not prove satisfactory.

Acute Glaucoma. This is much rarer than chronic glaucoma. In acute glaucoma (sudden onset), the pressure in your eye rises rapidly and can be very painful. The affected eye may become red and you may suffer nausea and vomiting. In early stages, you may see rainbow-coloured rings around white lights. Your family doctor or optomestrist should send you to hospital immediately so that the pain and pressure in your eye can be relieved. An acute attached, if treated early, can usually be brought under control in a few hours. Delay may cause permanent damage to your vision.