Eyecare Advice
Our advanced equipment and experience gained from many years in practice means that your eye health is well protected in terms of our ability to detect any abnormalities. For example:
Glaucoma

A collection of conditions which are defined by a characteristic type of visual field loss, and usually, associated, optic nerve head changes. A significant number will also have elevated eye pressure but many will not, for this reason we do not rely on the 'puff of air' pressure check as the fundamental test, instead, we always check the following;

  • Central Visual Fields with a Humphrey/Carl Zeiss computerised field analyser.
Technician at work
  • Optic nerve head inspection with an option for photography with a Topcon digital camera. ( this allows us to more accurately compare any changes between successive visits )
Opticians Workstation
  • Measuring of eye pressure.

  • Because many glaucomas progress slowly over years, they are often symptomless and the person will be unaware of the visual loss, which cannot be retrieved even when treated. Treatment will only attempt to halt further visual deterioration; hence the importance of regular checks and preferably with the same practice since previous records may indicate changes that have occurred between visits.
ARMD
(Age Related Macula Degeneration)

A group of conditions that are characterised by a progressive distortion of central vision. About 10% of these are treatable, but this is only possible if rapid referral to a retinal specialist is made. The classic initial observation is noticing a slight kink in a window or door frame. If this happens advice from you optometrist or local eye dept. should be sought immediately.

  • We will carefully inspect the inside of both eyes with special instruments and will dilate the pupils with drops. This will make driving unadvisable for a few hours. (Do not allow that to deter you coming to see us.)
Retinal Detatchment

Cross section diagram of Eye
A serious condition involving tearing, splitting, or damage to the light sensitive 'film' at the back of the eye, which may lead to serious, or total, visual loss in the affected eye. Rapid treatment is highly successful. The symptoms are sudden appearance of 'floaters 'or 'cobwebs' in the vision of one eye (or v. rarely both.) with or without flashes of light. Attention should be sought on the same day.
Cateract
A slowly progressive, dulling and loss of transparency, of the lens inside the middle of the eye, resulting in 'misty' vision which may seem much worse in poor light, or cause 'dazzle' in v. bright light.
Your optometrist is responsible for referring you to a specialist and will advise you when this is appropriate. (Usually when spectacles fail to provide the level of vision which you require.)
  • Treatment is the painless, surgical removal of the lens and replacement with a plastic one in a 20 minutes procedure which is highly successful.
Squint or "Lazy Eye"
Usually found in young children / infants, the manifestation is the misalignment of the eyes. The most common type is for one eye to appear 'turned in' towards the nose. This 'turn' may be constant or intermittent. A special examination will reveal any problem and if necessary the child will be referred to a hospital specialist. This examination will involve the use of harmless eyedrops and equipment specifically designed to evaluate the vision of infants of any age.
We are specialists by experience ( having worked in paediatric hospital clinics ) and see many children. We examine in a sympathetic way and most youngsters leave smiling!