Frequently Asked Questions
Cataract:
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye. Everyone has a lens and as we age it can become filmy and opaque and this blurs vision
How is a cataract removed?
The old cataract lens is replaced with a new clear lens that is inserted inside the eye much like a contact lens but placed permanently inside the eye
Will removing a cataract improve my vision?
Yes, absolutely this is why we do the procedure so that it stops your vision declining and improves the vision and it can often improve your eyes glasses needs too
Glaucoma:
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a long-standing chronic condition of the eye where the eye loses its ability to self-regulate its internal liquid and its pressure. So the eye pressure becomes too high
What happens if one leaves glaucoma undetected and untreated?
The raised eye pressure over time can often damage the vision by damage happening at the optic nerve at the back of the eye. Once damage occurs it almost always is impossible to recover lost vision
How is glaucoma treated?
It is treated with either eye laser, eye-drops (daily regular and ongoing), and less commonly eye surgery with drains and stents
Diabetes and the eye:
How can diabetes affect the eye?
Diabetes is a micro-vascular disease (small blood vessels get damaged) and like other organs with lots of small blood vessels (kidneys, nerves, brain) the eye is at big risk of damage. Damage occurs with either blockages of blood flow through these small capillaries and/or leaking from the small blood vessels at the back of the eye. This then damages the retina inside the eye and the retina is very sensitive to this kind of damage so it will then affect vision often permanently.
Is it important for diabetic people to have regular eye checks with an Ophthalmologist?
Absolutely yes but sadly often people with diabetes are not referred by their doctors for the screening. And family doctors and not well equipped to detect the subtle early changes.
What can be done to treat diabetic eye disease?
Laser and little injections into the eye (not painful) are very often used to help when there is damage but it is very important to treat early before the damage becomes too bad and permanent
Children and squints:
What is a squint?
A squint is a misdirection of an eye. We as humans should have “straight” eyes when looking which means both eyes are looking at the same thing at the same time. A squint is where one or the eye drifts off position with bad alignment. Often it may drift/squint inwards but can also be outwards or more rarely vertically.
Are squints important/dangerous?
Yes, squinting is important especially in children under 9 years old as the brain can “switch” off the vision in the squinting eye and this then can lead on to permanent visual loss for the child. Also poorly aligned eyes often do not develop 3D/stereoscopic vision which is important for reading and spatial vision.
How are squints managed or corrected?
Squint management often entails a journey of care. The care often involves glasses and wearing an occlusive patch for the dominant eye and sometimes even surgery to the eye muscle that is pulling the eye out of position