Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease that is caused by raised pressure inside the eyeball, resulting in loss of peripheral vision. The most common type, open angled Glaucoma, is a slow progressive disease that if untreated, may result in blindness. Recent scientific studies have highlighted the importance of measuring the thickness of the front of the eye (cornea) to identify those patients at higher risk of developing Glaucoma. At Máire O’Neill Opticians we have the latest technology to accurately measure the internal pressure of the eye. We also have the latest visual field analyser to assess any loss of peripheral vision.
Glaucoma can be controlled with eye drops, pills, laser procedures, and surgical operations to prevent or slow further damage from occurring. With any type of glaucoma, regular eye examinations are very important to detect progression and to prevent vision loss.
Known risk factors include age, race, family history, diabetes, short-sightedness and steroid use.
Treatment
It is not possible to reverse any loss of vision caused by Glaucoma but treatment can help slow down progression of the disease. Treatments normally involve using eye drops to lower the eye pressure but in some cases surgery may be required.
Macular Degeneration
Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is a condition that causes distortion or loss of central vision, and affects 1 in 10 people over 65 years of age. The exact cause is unknown, but it has been linked to smoking, high blood pressure, being overweight and having a family history of ARMD.
There are two types:
- Dry Macular Degeneration is caused by gradual wear and tear of a layer of the retina that separates the nerve fibres from the blood vessels. This is a slow, progressive degenerative disease that results in difficulties with reading smaller print and recognising faces.
- Wet Macular Degeneration is more aggressive and potentially more sight threatening. It is caused by blood vessels leaking into the nerve fibre layer, resulting in distortion of central vision. If diagnosed early it can be treated with injections that seal the leaking vessels.
Máire O’Neill Opticians have the latest Ultra-wide field Retinal scanner which allows the optometrist to inspect the health of the central retina, allowing identification of those patients who have early signs of macular degeneration.
Eating a healthy diet rich in green leafy vegetables which have high levels of antioxidants may help to prevent the onset of wet macular degeneration.
Treatment
Dry AMD
There is no current treatment available to reverse the loss of central vision but it may be possible to slow it’s progression by lifestyle and nutritional changes such as:
- Not smoking
- Introducing more green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach and cabbage to the diet
- Regular exercising
- Taking Eye vitamin and mineral food supplements
- Controlling systemic diseases eg high blood pressure and diabetes.
Wet AMD
Injections given directly into the eyes at regular intervals at an eye hospital stop the progression of the disease in over 90% of patients with many experiencing an improvement in their central vision.
Early diagnosis is crucial in preventing vision loss and our investment in the latest technology allows us to see beneath the retina to check for the earliest signs of AMD.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy, also known as diabetic eye disease, is a medical condition in which damage occurs to the blood and nerve vessels at the back of the eye. This causes leakage that can lead to blindness.
It usually takes several years for diabetic retinopathy to reach a stage where it could threaten your sight. To minimise the risk of this happening, people with diabetes should ensure they control their blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol. It is also important to have an annual eye examination, it may be necessary for us to use eye drops to enlarge the pupil to check for and monitor diabetic retinopathy.
At Máire O’Neill Opticians we use the latest Ultra-wide field Retinal scanner to check for the earliest signs of diabetes. Treatment for diabetic retinopathy is only necessary if screening detects significant problems suggesting your vision is at risk. The main treatments for more advanced diabetic retinopathy are laser treatment, injections or an operation to remove blood or scar tissue from your eyes.
Flashers and Floaters
The fluid inside your eye is held within a bag which lies against the back of your eye (retina). As we age, this bag comes away from the retina which can create flashes and floaters in your vision. Most of the time this is a harmless process, however sometimes the adhesion between the gel bag and the back of the eye can be so strong that the retina can tear as it pulls away. This can lead to a retinal detachment which is sight threatening. Therefore, getting your eyes tested regularly ensures the management of flashers and floaters.
The Daytona Ultra-wide field Retinal scanner that we have had recently installed allows the Optometrist to check for any retinal tears or holes caused by the gel bag detaching from the back of the eye.
We strongly advise anyone experiencing sudden onset Flashes and/or Floaters to contact the practice immediately to arrange an appointment.
Dry Eye Disease
Dry Eye Disease is caused by a lack of tears or a blockage of the glands in the top and bottom eyelids. These glands secrete a substance that helps spread the tears over the surface of the eye. Dry Eye Disease can cause grittiness, burning sensation, excessive watering, sensitivity to light, and occasionally sharp pains in the eyes.
An examination using a microscope to inspect the front surface of the eyes and eyelids allows our optometrist to identify the cause of the dry eye disease. We can then recommend a course of treatment which may include the use of hot compresses, supplements, eye drops and lid massage.
Treatment
We believe that patient education is foremost in the management of dry eye disease and compliance with ongoing treatment is paramount to success.
Management of dry eye disease may involve one or more of the following:
- Blink exercises
- Eye drops/ointments
- Lid Wipes
- Lid Massage
- Dietary advice
- Review of medication
- Punctal plugs
- Food supplements
If you are having dry eye related symptoms please contact us to arrange an appointment to attend our Dry Eye Clinic.
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye which leads to a decrease in vision, increased glare with sunlight, difficulty reading and problems with driving at night. Cataracts cause half of all cases of blindness and 33% of visual impairment worldwide. Cataracts are most commonly due to ageing, but may also occur due to radiation exposure, be present from birth, or occur following eye surgery for other problems.
Our team of optometrists can see cataract formation during an eye examination, and will refer to the eye hospital for removal when they interfere with a patient’s quality of life. This operation is normally a relatively simple procedure that involves the removal of the clouded lens in the eye with an artificial implant. Good use of angled, poised lighting when reading and sunglasses to reduce glare from sunlight can help reduce the effects of this slowly progressive condition.