Common Eye Diseases

Age Related Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration is a disease that affects the portion of the retina required for central vision ie the vision that lets see fine detail which is used for tasks such reading.

There are two types of ARMD: wet and dry. Wet ARMD has a devastating effect on vision in short period of time. Certain types of wet ARMD can be treated by laser therapy from getting worse. Hence immediate medical attention is essential. Whereas dry ARMD is slowly progressing over many years and as yet there is no treatment

The disease has a tendency to run in families and is found most commonly in individuals over the age of 60.

For further information see: http://www.maculardisease.org

Normal Vision (left) and possible results of Macular Degeneration


Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease where there is damage to the optic nerve (the nerve that connects the brain to the eye). There are two types of glaucoma: closed angle glaucoma (CAG) and open angle glaucoma (OAG).

Closed angle glaucoma usually affects one eye at a time and often results in severe eye pain, abnormal sensitivity to light and even nausea. It is associated with very high eye pressure and if left untreated can result in blindness within 24 hours. It can be treated with laser therapy, surgery or eyes drops usually with a high success rate.

Conversely open angle glaucoma is an insidious disease, which produces no symptoms in it’s early to intermediate stages although there is gradual and progressing loss of vision. OAG can have ‘normal’ or elevated eye pressure. It initially brings about small blindspots, which go unnoticed by the patient. Left untreated, the resulting damage may cause severe vision loss and even possible blindness.

OAG can be treated with eye drops or other types of medication to reduce eye pressure with effective results. For more serious cases of Glaucoma, surgery may be required.

The following risk factors increase the chances of a person developing glaucoma :

  • Age: It is uncommon below the age of 40 but It affects one per cent of people over this age and five per cent over 65.
  • Race: People of African origin are at a higher risk of OAG
  • Family: People over 40 with an immediate family member with glaucoma stand a higher risk of developing it.
  • Short sight: Those with a high degree of short sight are more prone to chronic glaucoma.

    It is essential that people in any of these categories have regular eye examinations. At David Arnold Opticians anyone over 40 years of age will be screened for glaucoma with the appropriate tests.

    For further information see: http://www.iga.org.uk/

    Normal Vision (top) and possible results of Glaucoma


    Diabetic Retinopathy

    After Age related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy is the second leading cause of blindness in the western world. It is associated with the general health condition diabetes.

    Diabetic Retinopathy is a complicated disease process that affects the retina of the eye. In it's early stages there is a leaking of the blood vessels in the retina, which may or may not affect vision. In advanced cases new blood vessels grow in the retina which not only leak but lead to a detachment of the retina and so causing blindness.

    Treatment is usually with a laser or in advanced cases surgery is required. Early treatment is crucial; therefore an annual eye examination is essential. At David Arnold Opticians Mr Patel is an accredited optometrist by Salford and Trafford FHSA to screen for Diabetic Retinopathy.

    A tight control of the diabetes any high blood pressure and lack of smoking helps prevent or delay the onset of Diabetic Retinopathy.

    For further information see: http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk


    Conjunctivitis

    Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the thin transparent layer covering the surfaces of your inner eyeball and a portion of the front of your eyeball).

    With conjunctivitis you may experience redness, grittiness, discharge (causing a sticky eye) and in some cases watering.

    The three main types are allergic, infective and chemical.

    Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat these infectious forms. Ideally, treatment for allergic and chemical forms is to remove the cause of the inflammation. If that is not possible, both prescription and non-prescription eye drops may be recommended to assist in the relief of discomfort.


    Blepharitis

    Blepharitis is a common external disorder of the eye it is the medical term for inflamed eyelid margins (the part of the eyelid where the eyelashes originate). It tends be associated with the elderly but can occur younger adults particularly females.

    It appears like dry flaky skin around the eyelashes, with red, scaly eyelids. Consequently your eyes may as though there is something in them along with tired, burning, or gritty eyes. They may also look slightly.

    Treatment often requires daily eyelid hygiene including cleaning at specified intervals to remove the skin on the eyelids. Also, warm compresses applied directly to the eyelid margins, prescribed antibiotic ointment or drops and artificial teardrops may be recommended to relieve symptoms.

    For further information see: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/nhsdoheso/display.asp?sTopic=Blepharitis


    Dry Eyes

    Dry is a common condition particularly in older people and amongst women. People with dry eyes rarely have a sensation of dryness, but instead experience irritation, a sensation of having a something in the eye, a burning feeling, mucus discharge and possible temporary blurring of vision. People with general health ailments such as Sjogren's syndrome are at risk of dry eye and it is also associated with people with rheumatoid arthritis.

    Dry eye is caused when there is a deficiency in any one of the three layers that constitute the tear film that covers the surface of the eye. The three layers are an oily layer, a watery layer and a layer of mucus, each with a specific function.

    Tears serve to lubricate the eye and they are produced around the clock. When we blink, tears form a film, which spreads over the eye, making the surface smooth and optically clear so enabling good vision.

    In some people, where there is a deficiency in the oily or mucus layers, their eyes produce more of the watery component to try to counter the dry eye sensation. This often results in temporary relief of the symptoms, but results in the nuisance of excessively watery eyes.

    Relief of symptoms can be brought about by the use of artificial tears eye drops to restore the balance of the tear film. The more liquid artificial tears can be used during the day or just before activities, which cause discomfort such as watching television, reading, sewing, and writing and thicker ointment to use last thing at night. Most artificial teardrops can be bought over the counter at a chemist without a prescription from you general practioner.

    Avoiding smoky or dry atmospheres, caused by central heating, car heaters, particularly at face level, can also help the symptoms.

    For further information see: http://www.rnib.org.uk/info/dry.htm