What is Hyperopia

Hyperopia, also called ‘being long-sighted’ is caused when the eye is either shorter than normal or when the cornea becomes a little too flat. It is also caused by the ageing process and many patients will notice this deterioration in their vision over time.

When you suffer from hyperopia, the typical symptoms you notice will be any of the following:

• Blurred vision when reading
• Headaches after reading for a long time
• Eyestrain when on the computer through the day
• Feeling that you can’t focus on the TV/subtitles at the end of a long day
• Children may complain of getting headaches and feeling tired.

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What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a common eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss among people age 50 and older. It involves the deterioration of the macula, which is the small central area of the retina that controls visual acuity. The macula’s health is crucial for tasks requiring sharp vision, such as reading, driving, recognising faces, and seeing objects in fine detail.

Macular degeneration is categorised into two types:

1. Dry (Atrophic) AMD: This is the more common form, accounting for approximately 90% of cases. It occurs when the macula gets thinner with age, and small clumps of protein called drusen grow. Vision loss in dry AMD usually progresses slowly.
2. Wet (Neovascular) AMD: Though less common, wet AMD is more severe and can lead to faster loss of vision. It happens when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid and blood, damaging the macula.

These are the symptoms of Macular Degeneration:

• Blurred or reduced central vision in one or both eyes.
• Difficulty seeing in low light conditions.
• Visual distortions, such as straight lines appearing wavy or bent.
• Difficulty recognising faces.
• A dark, blurry area or whiteout appearing in the center of vision.
• Color perception changes or dullness.

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What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is essential for good vision. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure). Glaucoma can lead to loss of vision and is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. However, blindness from glaucoma can often be prevented with early treatment.

Glaucoma is often not picked up until there is irreversible damage to your vision. This is why it’s essential to have regular eye tests, especially if you have a family history of Glaucoma. There are 3 main types of Glaucoma and these are:

• Open-Angle Glaucoma: The most common form, where the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should, much like a clogged drain, leading to a gradual increase in eye pressure. This type of glaucoma develops slowly and is a lifelong condition.
• Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This type occurs when the iris bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris. As a result, fluid can’t circulate through the eye and pressure increases abruptly. It is considered a medical emergency and can cause blindness if not treated promptly.
• Normal-Tension Glaucoma: In this condition, the optic nerve becomes damaged even though the eye pressure is within the normal range. The exact reason for optic nerve damage in normal-tension glaucoma is not yet fully understood.

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What is Myopia?

Myopia, also called ‘being short-sighted’ is caused when the eye is either larger than normal or when the cornea becomes a little too curved. Myopia is a condition that is projected to be a global epidemic over the next few years. Small myopia is not usually an issue and is easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses , however high myopia can pose risks of retinal detachment, glaucoma and vision loss. This is why it is vital to get the right checks done when you have your eyes tested and have regular eye tests, especially for children. At Abra & Co. Opticians,

When you suffer from Myopia, the typical symptoms you notice will be any of the following:

• Blurred vision when looking in the distance
• Headaches after driving/watching TV for a couple of hours
• Squinting your eyes to make things in the distance clearer
• Blurred subtitles on the TV
• Children struggling to see the board or falling behind at school.

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What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a common eye condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, leading to a decrease in vision. It is most often related to aging but can also result from other factors. The lens, located behind the iris and the pupil, works like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye to produce clear images. When a cataract develops, it distorts the light passing through the lens, causing images to appear blurred or fuzzy.

Although Cataracts are age-related, one of the biggest risk factors to their development is UV Radiation, which is why recommend UV protection on all our lenses as standard.

Cataracts develop for a variety of reasons, including:

• Aging: The most common cause, as natural changes within the lens occur over time.
• Injury: Trauma to the eye can cause cataracts to form.
• Medical conditions: Certain conditions, such as diabetes, can increase the risk of developing cataracts.
• Medications: Long-term use of some medications, particularly corticosteroids, can contribute to cataract formation.
• Lifestyle factors: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk.
• Ultraviolet radiation: Exposure to UV rays from sunlight may promote cataract development.
• Genetics: A family history of cataracts can increase one’s risk. 

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What is Blephartis?

• Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids, typically affecting the part where eyelashes grow and is usually associated with irritation, itchiness, and reddening of the eyelids. It can result from various causes, including bacterial eyelid infection, dry eyes, and certain skin conditions such as dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows (seborrheic dermatitis) or rosacea. This condition can be uncomfortable and may be unsightly, but it usually doesn’t cause permanent damage to one’s eyesight, and it’s not contagious.

We’re finding that Blepharitis is an increasingly common condition, which is why we’ve invested into creating our own treatment program for Blepharitis called eyeClean.

Blepharitis is commonly classified into two types:

• Anterior Blepharitis: Affects the outside front edge of the eyelids, where the eyelashes are attached. It can be caused by bacteria or dandruff from the scalp and eyebrows.
• Posterior Blepharitis: Affects the inner edge of the eyelids that come in contact with the eyeball. This is often related to a dysfunction of the meibomian glands within the eyelids that secrete oils to help lubricate the eye.

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What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a common age-related vision condition in which the eye gradually loses the ability to focus on nearby objects. This condition typically starts to become noticeable in adults around the age of 40 or older. The primary cause of presbyopia is the hardening of the lens inside the eye, making it less flexible and reducing its ability to change shape (accommodate) to focus on close objects.

Symptoms of Presbyopia include:

• Difficulty reading small print or seeing close objects clearly without holding them further away.
• Needing brighter lighting when reading or doing close work.
• Experiencing eyestrain or headaches after reading or doing close tasks for prolonged periods. 

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What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye syndrome, also known simply as dry eye, is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. This can happen for several reasons: either the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears that are produced are of poor quality. The result is inflammation and damage to the eye’s surface.

Dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Aging: Tear production tends to decrease as you get older, especially in women after menopause.
• Medical conditions: Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems can affect tear production.
• Medications: Certain medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants, can reduce tear secretion.
• Environmental conditions: Exposure to smoke, wind, and dry climates can increase tear evaporation.
• Long-term use of contact lenses: Can contribute to dry eyes.
• Screen use: Staring at computer screens, smartphones, or other digital devices for long periods can reduce blinking frequency, leading to tear evaporation.
• Eyelid problems: Issues that prevent the eyelids from closing properly can cause dry eyes. 

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How does Diabetes affect the eye?

Diabetes can have significant effects on the eye, leading to a range of conditions collectively known as diabetic eye disease. These conditions can cause severe vision loss or even blindness if not properly managed. Here’s how diabetes affects the eye:

The most direct impact of diabetes on the eye is diabetic retinopathy, which occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina — the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This can lead to:

• Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR): The early stage, where blood vessels in the retina weaken, bulge, and leak fluid into the surrounding retinal tissue, causing swelling and distorted vision.
• Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): The more advanced form, characterized by the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels on the surface of the retina or the optic nerve, which can bleed into the eye and cause scarring or retinal detachment, leading to severe vision loss or blindness.
• Diabetic Maculopathy is a complication of diabetic retinopathy where fluid accumulates in the macula — the part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. This swelling can lead to vision distortion or loss.
• Cataracts – Diabetes can lead to the earlier development of cataracts, a condition where the eye’s lens becomes cloudy. People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age, and the progression can be faster than in individuals without diabetes.
• The risk of glaucoma — a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve — is nearly double in people with diabetes. Glaucoma often leads to peripheral vision loss initially and can progress to total blindness if not treated.

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