Mobile Opticians In Norfolk: Learn The Facts About Cataracts And Macular Degeneration

What Is A Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of part of your eye called the lens. To help produce a sharp image the lens must be clear. The clouding can make your vision become blurred as it acts like a piece of frosted glass, interfering with your sight. Most people over the age of 60 have some cataract and the vast majority can be treated successfully.

Regular eye tests with your Optician can catch this eye condition in the very early stages.

What Treatment Is Available?

The only effective treatment for cataracts is a small procedure to remove the cloudy lens. In the past, eye specialists often waited until the cataract was 'ripe' and your vision was very poor before suggesting you had a cataract removed, but nowadays, with modern surgery, the operation is usually done as soon as your eyesight interferes with your daily life.

Cataract surgery is one of the most simple and successful operations. Most people notice an instant improvement in sight.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have Cataracts?

If you suspect you have cataracts but there are no sudden symptoms, you should see an optician who will refer you to an eye specialist.

If there is a rapid change in vision, you should consult your doctor or hospital's Accident and Emergency department immediately.

Cataracts are a normal change within the eye, as normal as going grey and getting wrinkles!

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What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

First of all, what is the macular?

The macular is very important and is responsible for what we see straight in front of us, allowing us to see fine detail for activities such as reading and writing, as well as our ability to see colour.

Macular Degeneration. What Is It? Why Does It Happen?

Sometimes the delicate cells of the macular become damaged and stop working, and there are many different conditions which can cause this. "Dry" AMD (Age-related Macular Deneration) is the most common form of the condition. Ir develops very slowly causing gradual loss of central vision. Many people find that vision slowly deteriorates by gradual central blurring and that the colours fade away like the colour in an old photograph. There is no medical treatment for this type. However, aids such as magnifiers can be helpful with reading and other small detailed tasks.

The Good News

AMD is not painful, and almost never leads to total blindness. It is the most common cause of poor sight in people over 60 but very rarely leads to total sight loss because only central vision is affected. This means that almost everyone with AMD will have enough side (or peripheral) vision to get around and keep their independence.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have Macular Degeneration?

If you suspect you have AMD but there are no sudden symptoms, you should see an optician who will refer you to an eye specialist. If there is a rapid change in vision, you should consult your doctor or hospital Accident and Emergency department immediately.

If you have AMD in one eye, and you start getting sudden symptoms in your other eye, then you should go to your hospital or ask your GP to arrange an emergency appointment as soon as possible.

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