At Exeter Eye we offer prompt assessment and treatment of a wide range of eye conditions.
Refractive Errors and Eye Diseases
We depend on our eyes for vision throughout our lives. Decreased vision, occurring at any age, can significantly impact the quality of our lives.
There are two basic causes of decreased vision; refractive errors and eye disease. Refractive errors are conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These conditions occur when your eye does not bend or focus light rays properly onto the retina at the back of the eye.
Refractive errors are usually easy to treat with glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery. As we get older, there is an increased risk of developing more serious eye related conditions.
Most eye diseases that can lead to irreversible blindness, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, tend to progress without any pain or vision symptoms in the early stages.
Age is a major risk factor for the development of many eye conditions because they typically develop over the course of one’s life time.
Without proper diagnosis and treatment, some of these conditions can lead to significant loss of vision or even blindness. The best way to protect your eye from conditions that can decrease your vision is to see your eye care professional on a regular basis.
The most common conditions we see at Exeter Eye are:
ASTIGMATISM
Astigmatism is a common and usually minor condition of the eye that causes blurred or distorted vision.
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CATARACTS
A cataract occurs when the lens inside the eye clouds over, leading to a blurred and decreased field of vision.
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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Diabetic retinopathy is the name given to the changes in the retina which occur over a period of time in diabetics.
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EPIRETINAL MEMBRANES
Epiretinal membranes create a ‘film’ over the macula at the back of your eye, making it harder for you to see.
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GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions which result in irreversible optic nerve damage.
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KERATOCONUS
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that causes the cornea to weaken and become conical in shape.
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LONG-SIGHTEDNESS
Long-sightedness, also known as ‘hyperopia’ or ‘far-sightedness’, makes it difficult to focus on objects close up.
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MACULAR DEGENERATION
Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the macula – the tiny, central part of the retina at the back of the eye.
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MACULAR HOLE
Macular holes usually develop over time, so you may not notice any symptoms until your vision is affected.
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POSTERIOR CAPSULE OPACITY
Sometimes called a ‘secondary cataract’, a posterior capsule opacity can occasionally occur after a cataract operation.
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PRESBYOPIA
Presbyopia is a condition that affects most people over the age of 40.
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PTERYGIUM & PINGUECULA
Both a pterygium and a pinguecula are abnormal growths that form on the surface of the eye.
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PTOSIS
Ptosis is the medical name given to the condition of droopy eyelids.
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RETINAL DETACHMENT
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina begins to pull away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen and nutrients.
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RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION
A retinal vein occlusion is a blockage of the blood vessels that feed the retina and can result in sudden and serious vision problems.
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SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS
Short-sightedness, also known as ‘myopia’ or ‘near-sightedness’, makes it difficult to focus on objects in the distance.
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SJORGEN’S SYNDROME
Sjogren’s Syndrome causes the body’s immune system to destroy the glands responsible for keeping the eyes and other parts of the body lubricated.
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VITREOUS HAEMORRHAGE
When blood leaks into your vitreous ‘gel’, usually from a blockage or damage to the blood vessels of the retina, it is known as a ‘vitreous haemorrhage’.
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To discuss any of the above conditions and book a consultation to look at the possible treatment options call us on 01392 699969 or contact us online.
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