Watsons Opticians

Eye Conditions

Common eye conditions

As well as Dry Eye Disease and Myopia there are many other eye conditions that can affect your vision and your eye health. Some of them are common and easily treatable, while others are more serious and require urgent attention.

Here are some of the most common eye conditions and their symptoms, causes and treatments:

Glucoma
Cataracts
Macular Degeneration
Diabetic retinopathy
Dry eye syndrome
Dry eye syndrome

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which connects your eyes to your brain.

Causes

It is usually caused by high pressure inside your eyes, but it can also be caused by other factors, such as genetics, age and ethnicity. Glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.

Types

The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, which develops slowly and often has no symptoms until it is advanced.

The less common type is closed-angle glaucoma, which occurs suddenly and causes severe pain, redness, blurred vision and nausea.

This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Treatment

The treatment for glaucoma depends on the type and severity of the condition. The main goal is to lower the pressure inside your eyes and prevent further damage to your optic nerve. The treatment options include:

Eye drops

which reduce the production or increase the drainage of fluid in your eyes.

Laser treatment

which uses a beam of light to open up the drainage channels in your eyes or reduce the amount of fluid in your eyes.

Surgery

which creates a new opening for the fluid to drain from your eyes or implants a device to help the fluid flow out of your eyes.

Cataracts

Cataracts are cloudy patches in the lens of your eye, which is the clear part that focuses light onto your retina.

Causes

They are usually caused by ageing, but they can also be caused by other factors, such as diabetes, smoking, eye injury and exposure to UV light.

Symptoms

Cataracts can make your vision blurry, misty, dull or less colourful.

Treatment

The treatment for cataracts is surgery, which involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one. The surgery is usually done under local anaesthetic and takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

The recovery time is usually a few weeks, during which you need to use eye drops and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

You should have an examination with an optometrist approximately 6 weeks after surgery.

In many cases we work in conjunction with the surgeon providing the review appointment locally.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the macula, which is the central part of your retina that is responsible for your detailed and colour vision.

Causes

It is usually caused by ageing, but it can also be caused by other factors, such as genetics, smoking, obesity and high blood pressure.

Symptoms

Macular degeneration can cause blurred or distorted vision, blind spots, difficulty reading and recognising faces.

Types

There are two types of macular degeneration: dry and wet.

Dry macular degeneration is more common and develops gradually.

Wet macular degeneration is less common and develops rapidly. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak fluid or blood, causing scarring and vision loss.

Treatment

The treatment for macular degeneration depends on the type and stage of the condition. There is no cure for dry macular degeneration, but there are some ways to slow down its progression, such as taking nutritional supplements, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and protecting your eyes from UV light. Recently Valeda Light Delivery System by Lumithera became available this is the first approved treatment for Dry Age Related macular Degeneration.

For wet macular degeneration, there are some treatments that can stop or reduce the growth of the abnormal blood vessels, such as:

Anti-VEGF injection

which block a protein that stimulates the growth of the blood vessels.

Photodynamic therapy

which uses a light-sensitive drug and a laser to destroy the blood vessels.

Laser Surgery

which uses a high-energy beam of light to seal the blood vessels.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in your retina.

Causes

It is caused by high blood sugar levels, which damage the walls of the blood vessels and cause them to leak fluid or blood, or grow abnormally.

Symptoms

Diabetic retinopathy can cause blurred or fluctuating vision, floaters, dark spots, flashes of light and vision loss.

Treatment

The main goal is to control your blood sugar levels and prevent further damage to your retina. The treatment options include:

Eye drops

which reduce the swelling or inflammation in your eyes.

Laser Treatment

which uses a beam of light to seal the leaking or abnormal blood vessels or reduce the amount of fluid in your eyes.

Surgery

which involves removing the vitreous gel that fills your eyes or the scar tissue that forms on your retina.

Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly.

Causes

It is usually caused by factors such as ageing, hormonal changes, environmental conditions, medications, contact lens use and eye surgery.

Symptoms

Dry eye syndrome can cause symptoms such as dryness, burning, itching, redness, sensitivity to light and blurred vision.

Picture of a patient undergoing an eye test

Treatment

The treatment for dry eye syndrome depends on the cause and severity of the condition. The main goal is to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. The treatment options include:

Blinking

when concentrating (e.g. using a computer or driving), we can blink up to 5 times less often, leading to increased tear evaporation. Remembering to blink more often can help keep the eye surface wet.

Artificial tears

which are eye drops that lubricate your eyes and replace the natural tears, these are available as drops or a gel.

Eye ointments

when concentrating (e.g. using a computer or driving), we can blink up to 5 times less often, leading to increased tear evaporation. Remembering to blink more often can help keep the eye surface wet.

Diet omega-3 oils and flax seed oil in the diet may help improve tear quality.

Hot compresses using an Eye Bag

This applies heat to your eyelids and clears the blocked oil glands that produce the oily layer of your tears.

Moist air leads to less evaporation of tears.

Avoiding air conditioned environments and direct heat (e.g. an open fire or heat from a cooker) can help for the same reason

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin membrane that covers the white part of your eye and the inside of your eyelids.

Causes

It is usually caused by an infection, an allergy or an irritant.

Symptoms

Conjunctivitis can cause symptoms such as red eye, itching, burning, discharge, crustiness and sensitivity to light.

Other causes of red eye include:

A burst blood vessel,
Blepharitis
An ingrowing eye lash
A foreign body
Eyelid problems
Dry eyes though there are more causes

An examination is required to determine the cause and treatment required.

Treatment

The treatment for conjunctivitis depends on the cause and type of the condition. The main goal is to relieve the symptoms and prevent the spread of the infection or the exposure to the allergen or the irritant. The treatment options include:

Eye drops or ointments

which contain antibiotics, antihistamines, steroids or lubricants, depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis.

Warm or cold compresses

which can soothe the irritation and reduce the swelling in your eyes.

Eye hygiene

which involves washing your hands, cleaning your eyes, avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes, and stop using and discard any used contact lenses and makeup.

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Locations:

Ballycastle

41 Ann St, Ballycastle, BT54 6AA
Call us on 028 2076 2431

Portrush

10 Main St, Portrush, BT56 8BL
Call us on 028 7082 3677

Opening Hours:

Ballycastle

Monday - Saturday: 9:00 - 17:30
Alternate Wednesday: Closed
Sunday : Closed

Portrush

Monday - Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9:00 - 17:30
Alternate Saturday: Closed
Sunday : Closed

Eye Conditions

Common eye conditions

Glaucoma

Glaucoma

Causes

Types

Treatment

Cataracts

Cataracts

Causes

Symptoms

Treatment

Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration

Causes

Symptoms

Types

Treatment

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy

Causes

Symptoms

Treatment

Dry eye syndrome

Dry eye syndrome

Causes

Symptoms

Treatment

Conjuctivitis

Conjunctivitis

Causes

Symptoms

Other causes of red eye include:

Treatment

Locations:

Ballycastle

Portrush

Opening Hours: