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Is your eyesight failing? Here’s what to do about it

Ageing is a common cause of deteriorating eyesight, but there may be other reasons why you’re struggling to read.

Retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited condition. The retina, a layer of nerves at the back of the eye, do not respond to light properly. This can cause vision loss over time.

Prevention: Retinitis pigmentosa cannot be prevented.

Treatment: Research into treatment for the disease is ongoing. A recent breakthrough has suggested gene therapy may work for this condition.

Eye infections

Infectious keratitis

This infection can occur after an eye injury, such as a  scratch, and can also occur in those with diabetes who are more prone to eye infections.

Bacterial keratitis can sometimes happen in those who swim while wearing their contact lenses. Left untreated, the condition can progress rapidly with the loss of vision or even losing the eye!

Prevention: Eye infections can be prevented through good hygiene, keeping contact lenses clean and avoiding contact with infected people. In those with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels helps prevent infections.

Treatment: Most eye infections are treated with antibiotics..

Cataracts

Cataracts are very common amongst the elderly. You may be developing a cataract if you have cloudy or blurry vision, struggle to see without bright light, have double vision or colours look faded.

Prevention: Stop smoking, eat well (include foods high in vitamins C and E), reduce exposure to sunlight, and if necessary, manage your diabetes.

Treatment: New spectacles or anti-glare sunglasses may help with early-stage cataracts, but advanced cataracts need to be surgically removed. The lens that is affected will be replaced.

Diabetic retinopathy

Those with diabetes often suffer eyesight problems as a result of high blood sugar levels which cause damage to the blood vessels in the eyes.

Prevention:
Maintain a healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Exercise regularly, regulate your weight and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

Treatment: Laser surgery to cauterise the damaged blood vessels in the eye. Keep blood sugar, cholesterol and pressure at healthy levels.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma can run in the family and is most often found in adults over 60 years old. It’s caused by high pressure in the eye which puts pressure on the optic nerve.

Prevention: There is no way to prevent glaucoma.

Treatment: Early detection may lead to treatment. There are also medications that decrease the pressure in the eye which delays the onset of blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration causes blurred or opaque vision and problems with focus. This occurs mostly in the elderly, and the risk is higher in those exposed to excess sunlight and those who are heavy smokers.
Prevention: Regular visits to your optometrist can help detect early symptoms of the disease. Eating eye-boosting healthy foods also improves overall eye health.

Treatment:
In early-stage AMD, a specific cocktail of vitamins may help slow the disease.

Cancer of the eyes

Cancer of the eye becomes more likely as you age, especially if you have light-coloured eyes or are Caucasian. Sometimes the condition is an inherited one.

Prevention: There is no way to completely prevent eye cancer.

Treatment: These include chemotherapy, surgery, laser therapy, specific medications or radiation therapy.

If you fear you may have an eye condition that’s affecting your sight, visit your GP or optometrist, who may refer you to an ophthalmologist if necessary. If your eyes are healthy, keep them so by limiting exposure to harsh light, keeping any other conditions in check, and eating as healthily as possible.

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Don’t skimp on your sunglasses!

The summer sun is here! Which means you’re going to need some cool shades for the beach. But don’t be tempted to grab the cheapest ones you can find – your precious peepers could be at risk.

Cheap sunglasses are cheap because the stylish frame is pretty much all that’s on offer.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are known for causing sunburns and skin cancers, but these dangerous rays can harm your eyes too. While UV rays are invisible to the human eye, over-exposure can damage your eyes, causing conditions that affect your vision.

Most cheap sunglasses don’t offer protection against UV rays. Many may be “dark”, but this doesn’t make a difference. When you wear dark sunglasses that don’t offer UV protection, your pupils can dilate instead of contracting and this lets more UV light into your eyes. Besides cataracts, excessive exposure to UV light can cause abnormal growths on the surface of your eyes and other eye conditions like macular degeneration and eye cancers.

Common UV-related eye conditions:

  • Cataracts: A condition where the eye’s lens is clouded which causes blurry vision. Approximately 20% of cases of cataracts are caused by UV ray exposure.
  • Macular degeneration: Caused by damage done to the retina that destroys central vision.
  • Pterygium: A tissue growth over the white part of the eye that can change the curve of the eyeball. Pterygium can cause eyesight conditions like astigmatism (blurred vision).

Although most cheap sunglasses won’t offer you the protection your eyes need, some medium-priced pairs can give the right protection. It’s important to know how to pick a pair that will shield your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun and allow you to see clearly and comfortably.

Choose the right pair for your peepers.

  • Check that sunglasses are labelled with a sticker that says it blocks 95 to 100% of UV rays or UV absorption up to 400nm.
  • Larger sunglasses means more coverage, so choose those celeb-sized sunnies!
  • Colour and darkness don’t matter as long as it blocks 100% of UV rays.
  • Polarised lenses (reduces reflections and glares from the sun) cut down on glare.
  • Photochromic lenses change from clear to dark when exposed to sunlight.
  • Choose lightweight polycarbonate lenses.
  • Choose a pair that fits properly. It shouldn’t slip down your nose and should fit comfortably around your ears.
  • Avoid sunglasses that have a wide gap across the top and edges as these will let in too much sunlight.

Good to know

Overcast skies or colder seasons don’t mean that you’re safe from UV rays. Even on cloudy days, UV rays are dangerous. Always keep your sunglasses handy and wear them outside and while you drive. If you can afford it, visit an optician who’ll be able to help you choose a good pair of sunglasses – and can assess your current pair to see if they offer you enough protection from the sun.

References:

What you can do today, to save your eyes tomorrow

You stare at bright screens all day and well into the night. Whether it’s from gaming, typing, or texting, your eyes are glued to a screen for hours on end – and this is not good for your eyesight. You may have 20/20 vision right now, but you may not always be so lucky. Here’s what you need to keep your eyes peeled for!

Cataracts can affect you at any age. Talk to a Doctor now about how to recognise the signs and symptoms.

Continue reading “What you can do today, to save your eyes tomorrow”

Could it be cataracts?

Do you have trouble reading the small print on medicine bottles or food labels? Has driving at night become a nearly impossible task? Are you having difficulty writing out cheques or filling out forms?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a cataract in one or both of your eyes.

Continue reading “Could it be cataracts?”

What it’s like to see through an eye condition

Blindness affects many people across the world. While some eye diseases occur from birth, others can be hereditary, or can come about through lifestyle.

What you might not know is that certain eye conditions have different effects on your vision. For example, glaucoma starts off with the loss of peripheral vision, whereas cataracts causes ones vision to blur. Here are four of the most common eye diseases, and what the world might look like for those with any of these conditions. Continue reading “What it’s like to see through an eye condition”