Conjunctivitis is a common condition which causes the surface of your eye to go red and, often, sticky or watery and your eye becomes sore.
Types of Conjunctivitis:
Conjunctivitis can be caused by infection from bacteria, viruses or other organisms, and also by allergy or inflammation.
Viral conjunctivitis tends to cause a watery red eye and can last for two to three weeks even with the correct treatment. In most cases viral conjunctivitis does not affect your vision but rarely you might notice your vision becomes blurry or you may see glare when looking at lights. This is due to an inflammatory reaction causing small white dots on the cornea, the transparent window at the front of the eye. These usually fade with time, but it can take a few weeks or even months.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is more likely to cause a red eye with a sticky yellow discharge.
I think I may have Conjunctivitis. What should I do?
There is no antiviral medication for viral conjunctivitis and it does not respond to antibiotic drops as it is not caused by bacteria. The best treatment for viral conjunctivitis is to use artificial tears and simple painkillers, with regular lid cleaning and cold compresses. The conjunctivitis disappears when your body becomes immune to the virus and fights the germs off, just as in a cold or flu. Very rarely, steroid drops are given for severe cases of viral conjunctivitis or when the cornea is affected.
Antibiotic drops can be helpful in cases of bacterial conjunctivitis and are often prescribed for a one or two-week course.
Contact lenses should not be worn during any type of conjunctivitis.
Infection control:Conjunctivitis is contagious and spreads very easily by water droplets (coughing, sneezing) or contact with tissues, flannels, towels, pillowcases and so on. For that reason, it’s really important to wash your hands frequently and dispose of tissues after use to prevent the condition from spreading to other family members or work colleagues.
In addition to proper hand hygiene, it's also important to avoid sharing personal items such as towels, pillowcases, and eye drops. If you have conjunctivitis, it's best to stay at home until the symptoms have subsided to avoid spreading the infection to others. Avoiding close contact with others, and avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes are also important to prevent the spread of infection. For people who wear contact lenses, it's essential to discard the lenses and switch to glasses until the infection is gone. After the infection is cleared, it's important to properly clean and disinfect the contact lenses and lens cases before reusing them.
What is Hayfever?
Hayfever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common allergy to pollen, dust or mould. It produces cold-like symptoms, such as a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, and itchiness.
What causes Hayfever?
Hayfever is caused by an allergic reaction to certain airborne allergens, such as pollen, mold, and dust mites. When these allergens come into contact with the lining of the nose and eyes, the immune system overreacts, releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation and symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
How does hay fever impact the eyes?
The classic sore eye associated with hayfever is called allergic conjunctivitis (to learn more about conjunctivitis, click here). This is an umbrella term for issues with the clear membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the eyelids. It can be rather unpleasant, but does not pose a risk to your vision. The itching sensation you feel is caused by pollen landing in the eye which leads to the release of histamine in turn irritating the nerve endings. The eyes become bloodshot because the blood vessels dilate and swell to fight off the irritant.
My vision is blurry!
Do not fear, this is very common. The blurriness you feel is associated with watery eyes. The tear ducts produce excess fluid to flush out the pollen, which can sometimes result in a thick gooey substance causing your vision to deteriorate temporarily. Try using a cold compress to ease the irritation, and if your symptoms persist book an appointment with us by following this link.
Will Hayfever go away?
From the start of Spring to the end of Summer hayfever sufferers will need to be extra vigilant. From late March until the middle of May, tree pollen peaks. From the middle of May until July, grass pollen peaks. And from the end of June until September, weed pollen is at its peak.
As 95% of hay ever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen, mid-May to July is the ‘peak time’ for hay ever. Unfortunately there is no cure, you just need to be extra vigilant and apply preventative measures. These include:
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Take over the counter antihistamines.
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Cut down on drinking alcohol during the summer months. It contains histamine, a chemical that promotes allergic reactions.
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Keep your eyelids clean with the lid wipes available at our practice.
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Take artificial tear drops to help flush out the pollen if your eyes are particularly irritated. You can find these at our practice too.
If you have any questions or concerns, call our practice to book an appointment by following the attached link.
This week we are celebrating National Eye
Health Week and as a result of that we want to give our patients/followers some
tips on how to use screen time. Long periods of screen time with no breaks can
really do some damage. The harmful blue light present in devices can be
damaging for our eye health and bring serious complications along the
way.
So what can you do to minimize visual distress?
1. Use your glasses
: If glasses were prescribed during your visit to the
Optician and advised to be used on screen time, you should definitely listen to
them. By wearing your glasses, your eyes will not struggle to see properly and
will feel less stress;
2. Get Anti Reflection Coating
: The anti-reflection coating protects our
eyes from the damaging blue light and also reflects the glare from all
artificial lights. This makes your vision look sharper as there is no glare
staying on the lenses;
3. Make sure to take frequent breaks
: Use the rule of 20-20-20 -
Look away from your device every 20 minutes for 20 seconds on something
20 feet away. This will help your eyes to rest from continues concentration on
the device you are looking at;
4. Customise you screen settings
: Make sure the light is not to bright
as that will tire your eyes quicker. The monitor should be at an arm length
away and should be positioned at eye level. Always select a font size of 12pts
or above, anything that feels comfortable at that distance so you don't feel
your eyes trying to squint to see better;
5. Keep blinking
: Even if we don't notice, our blink rate can fall by
60% when we are concentrating on monitors. Shutting your eyes for a few seconds
and rolling your eyeballs around with them still closed can give you some
instant refresh;
6. Stay hydrated
! Dehydration can increase symptoms of screen fatigue,
so make sure to always have your water handy;
7. Regular Eye Examination
s - Last but not least, make sure to follow
the recall for your eye tests according to your opticians. Anyone >16 years
old should have their eyes tested every 2 years, unless your Optician advises
you otherwise.
So if you are having any trouble with your vision, if you
are due for an eye examination or if you never had one before, why not contact
us and get that booked? Our team would be delighted to see you. You can find
our contacts below:
Dagenham
dagenham@careoptics.co.uk
0208 592 6060
Woodford
woodford@careoptics.co.uk
0203 551 6075
Remember - At Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care
Usually the GP or your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist would be able to diagnose it by using a magnifying device to look at the edges of your eyelids and how the glands look like, by checking if the eyes are producing enough tears & by checking the texture and how healthy is the skin surrounding your eyes.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually include:
- Sore Eyelids;
- Dry eyes;
- Itchy Eyes;
- Gritty feeling;
- Red eyes;
- Watery eyes;
- Blurry vision;
- Sensitivity to bright lights;
- Red and/or swollen eyelids;
- Presence of flakes/crusts around the roots of your eyelashes;
- Sticky eyelashes - specially in the morning when you wake up.
Causes:
- Skin conditions (like seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea or eczema);
- Excess of bacteria;
- Hormone problems/hormonal imbalance;
- Blocked eyelid oil glands;
- Allergies;
- Viral infections;
- Mites (insect-like organisms, which can cause irritation to humans).
Treatment:
- Artificial tears for red, itchy, gritty or dry eyes;
- Special wipes to clean the eyelids;
- Warm flannels to soften and clean the crust as well as to help with the swollen eyelids;
- Medication in some cases.
Prevention:
Unfortunately there is cure for Blepharitis, but you will be able to manage and treat it easily. If you follow a daily hygiene routine that should be enough to control the symptoms. That routine should include:
- Removing all make-up before bed;
- Making sure to clean your eyelids everyday before you go to bed, even if you don't wear any makeup;
- Be careful when applying any night moisturizers or gels, do not apply it close to your eyelids;
- Using specific eyelid wipes that you can get from your local Optician to regularly clean your eyelids properly.
Complications:
That are some complications that may occur in some cases like loss of eyelashes, clogged glands that might lead to a stye or a chalazion & scarring on your eyelids. When that happens you should let your GP or your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist know as soon as possible.
In case you are experiencing any of these symptoms or if you suffer from Blepharitis, please do not wear any contact lenses (while you have symptoms) and don't use any make-up, specially eyeliner! If you have any symptoms of Blepharitis, please make sure to book a Minor Eye Condition Service with your local Optician... you can even do it with us if your GP is in the area! So if you have any queries regarding this condition or if you want to book an appointment, please contact us. You will be more than happy to arrange a time for you.
Keep in Mind:
Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care!
Causes
As written above, UV exposure seems to be one of the main reasons for Pterygium development, but wind and dust can also cause it as this leads to Dry Eye Disease, which by consequence will lead to this condition. Genetics may also play an important part, as some people seem to be more at risk than others.
Signs & Symptoms
Pterygium usually appears on the side of your eye that is closest to the nose, but it can also appear on the other sometimes. It is common to have it in one eye only, although sometimes it may appear on both eyes.
There are people who don't experience any symptoms or require treatment in the beginning, but as the growth develops, there can be redness, gritty, itchy or burning sensation, the eyes can become irritated and even swollen.
When the Pterygium starts to invade the cornea, it distorts the shape of the front of the eye, causing the curve of the cornea to change, leading then to refractive errors (Astigmatism in most cases).
Treatment
The treatment depends on the size of the Pterygium itself. If it's just a small growth, your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist can advise the patient on lubricants (eye drops or gels) to temporary reduce symptoms like redness, swelling, itchy or gritty felling.
If the Pterygium is more advanced, the only option is then surgery.
How to avoid it
As previously said, UV radiation and exposure seems to be one of the main reason leading to Pterygium. For that you have the perfect solution that is available for everyone - sunglasses . A good pair of sunglasses will filter the UV rays, giving you a sharper vision but also protecting you from conditions like Pterygium, Cataracts, Glaucoma, etc. Make sure to buy your sunglasses from a Optician instead of a shop non-related to eye care. A good pair of sunglasses should have UVA, UVB and UVC protection, and usually those shops will only have one of those protections - or even none.
We remind you that if you have any of these symptoms or any other, if you need to book an appointment or if you have any queries, please contact us over phone or email. We will be very happy to help you.
Keep in mind: At Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care
Today we are raising awareness of a condition that affects millions of people around the world and one of the most common causes of blindness. But did you know this can be prevented and/or treated when early diagnosed and with regular eye health check-ups?
What is Diabetes exactly?
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition in which the body does not properly process food to use as energy. Most of the food that we eat is turned into glucose (sugar) and released into the bloodstream, for our bodies to use as energy. The pancreas then, creates a hormone called insulin to help the glucose reach the cells in our bodies. People who suffer from diabetes cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use their own insulin as well as it should, leading to an increase of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream. There are 2 types of diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes : The patient's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. It requires daily administration of artificial insulin by injection or insulin pump;
- Type 2 Diabetes : The patient’s body does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells do not react to it. Usually managed with a combination of a healthy controlled diet and medication (tablets). This type is far more common than type 1.
There is also a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy for some women called gestational diabetes. This happens because their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to absorb all the glucose. This type usually disappears once the baby is born.
4.7 million of people in the UK have Diabetes, 90% of those being Type 2 diabetics. According to statistics provided by the www.diabetes.org.uk 1 in 10 people over 40’s has now type 2 diabetes.
How does Diabetes affect my eyes?
Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable sight loss in the UK. Diabetes can affect your eyes in many ways and in some cases when left untreated, these complications might even lead to blindness. The most common complication is Diabetic Retinopathy .
Diabetic Retinopathy is a eye disease caused by high levels of glucose (sugar) and blood pressure in your eyes, sometimes causing serious damage in your eyes. When the blood vessels in your eyes are damaged, they can get blocked, leak or grow randomly, meaning the retina won’t get the blood it needs to work properly, and consequent you vision will also be affected.
There are 3 types of Diabetic Retinopathy :
- Stage 1 - Background Retinopathy : Tiny bulges develop in the blood vessels, that may cause slight bleeding, but usually it does not affect your vision. Even though your vision is not yet affected, you will need to prevent the problem from getting worse;
- Stage 2 – Non-proliferative Retinopathy : More severe and extensive changes affect the blood vessels, including more significant bleeding into the patient's eye. The damage is more serious than Stage 1 and will require your eyes to be checked and screened more often;
- Stage 3 – Proliferative Retinopathy : Scar tissue to the eye cells and development of new blood vessels, which are weak and bleed easily. This means you are now at very high risk of losing your sight.
There is also Diabetic Maculopathy which affects the middle of the eye, meaning you won’t be able to read or drive.
How to prevent Diabetic Retinopathy?
It is possible for most people to reduce the risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy or preventing it from getting worse, by:
- Getting your eyes screened regularly;
- Spotting changes in your eyesight;
- Keeping your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol in control;
- Taking your diabetes medication as prescribed;
- Having a balanced & healthy diet;
- Exercising and hydrating.
Changes to look out for:
- Floaters – if you start seeing what looks like wispy clouds, small black spots or little threads floating in and out of your vision;
- Dimmer Vision – when your vision looks darker, like you are wearing sunglasses all the time;
- Struggling to see in the dark .
Diabetic Eye Screening
Any person with diabetes >15 should be offered a screening once a year, or as often as the Optometrist advises. Screening should be done for the following reasons:
- Diabetic Retinopathy doesn’t show any symptoms in the earlier stages;
- The condition can cause permanent blindness if not diagnosed and treated promptly;
- Screening can detect problems in your eye before they start to affect your vision;
- When caught early, treatment can help prevent or reduce the chances of vision loss.
If you are diabetic and due for an eye test or you have any of the above symptoms described above, please make sure to book an eye check-up as soon as possible. At Care Optics we have specialists in Diabetic Retinopathy, so you will be in excellent hands. You can book that appointment over the phone or email and our staff will make sure to take precise details so you can have the best treatment according to your symptoms.
Keep in mind:
At Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care
According to a survey by the Association of Optometrists:
- 54% of optometrists have seen a patient in the last month whose vision is below the legal standard and is unable to meet the required standard using corrective lenses, who continues to drive;
- 22.2% believe that they are advising more patients not to drive than previously;
- 40.2% have had a conversation with a patient who has concerns about a family member's ability to drive due to their vision.
Standards of vision for driving
You must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres. Also, you need to meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye. An adequate field of vision test may also be needed in some cases - it it up to the optician to decide whether you need it or not.
If you are suffering from any of the above complains, or if you just want to have your eyes tested, make sure to book an eye examination before you come in to the practice. You can do that over email or telephone and we will be very happy to help arrange that time for you.
Always keep in mind: At Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care