Eye Conditions
There are many different types of eye conditions which lead to sight loss. It is important that people regularly get their eyes tested by an optician as many eye conditions and illnesses can be identified during a regular eye test.
Below are a few of the more common eye conditions which many people live with. We have also included the contact details of organisations which may be able to offer more detailed information. If you are concerned by any eye symptoms, please make an appointment with your GP immediately.
Although becoming accustomed to living with a visual impairment can be frustrating, there are aids, equipment and services that can help to make the situation easier to cope with. Magnifiers and task lights can improve reading ability, as can some hi-tech aids such as a CCTV or an Eezee Reader. With regard to daily living, there are many simple pieces of equipment that can make life easier in the home. For example, special markers can be placed on the cooker so that it is simpler to set the temperature, and a small gadget can help with pouring boiling water when making cups of tea. Many simple aids can be purchased from the Royal National Institute of the Blind (tel: 08457 023153), or may be given to you free of charge by your Sensory Impairment Team from your local social work department when you are registered either blind or partially sighted.
For more information on equipment, the registration process and your local sensory impairment team, contact Visibility's advice and information line on 0141 572 0746.
Age Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment in the UK. The macular is the central part of the retina, which is responsible for detailed vision. As the eyes age, the layer of the retina that nourishes and maintains the cells in the macular can start to malfunction. This leads to a breakdown of cells in the macular, which results in the loss of central vision.
ARMD is most commonly found in people aged 65 and over, with the risk of developing the condition doubling in women aged 75 and over.
As ARMD normally progresses gradually, people may only slowly notice changes in their vision. In the early stages, vision may be blurry or distorted and there may be problems with glare and adapting between light and dark conditions. As the macular cells continue to degenerate, the loss of central vision begins to affect the ability to read, see fine detail and recognise faces. People with ARMD do, however, retain their peripheral vision.
For more information on ARMD contact Visibility or
The Macular Disease Society
PO Box 1870
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 9AD
Tel: 01264 350551
Web: www.maculardisease.org
Email email
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition that can result from diabetes. The retina is the light sensitive area at the back of the eye, which acts rather like the film in a camera. It converts light rays into electrical impulses, which are transmitted through the optic nerve to the brain. The retina contains a network of tiny blood vessels, which can be damaged as a result of elevated sugar levels in the blood. This damage leads to diabetic retinopathy.
With Diabetic Retinopathy, the areas of your vision may be blocked out where scar tissue has formed, leaving you with patches of sight in your visual field. This can make orientation difficult, as you do not have a full visual appreciation of your environment. As central vision loss is also part of this condition, you will also probably experience difficulty in reading and seeing other fine detail as described above. Furthermore, driving may be prohibited, depending on the severity of your sight loss.
For more information on Diabetic Retinopathy contact Visibility or
Diabetes UK Scotland
Savoy House
140 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow
G2 3DH
Tel: 0141 332 2700
Web: www.diabetes.org.uk/scotland
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye condition that affects 2 people in 100 over the age of 40 in the UK. Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve, and normally results from a combination of increased pressure in the eye and a weakness in the optic nerve. The eyeball needs to maintain a certain level of pressure to keep in shape and function properly, but if too much fluid is produced by the eye or if it cannot escape due to a blockage, pressure increases and damage can be caused.
Early symptoms of glaucoma are often difficult to detect, as your vision may seem normal. For this reason, it is important to have regular eye tests over the age of 40, or at all ages if there is a family history of the condition. If glaucoma goes untreated, it leads to 'tunnel vision'. Site is lost from the outer part of the visual field, so that eventually vision can be compared to looking through a tunnel or a long tube.
For more information on glaucoma, contact Visibility or
The International Glaucoma Association
Woodcote House
15 Highpoint Business Village
Henwood
Ashford
Kent
TN24 8DH
Tel: 01233 648170
Web: www.glaucoma-association.com
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of eye conditions that affect the retina and cause gradual, progressive sight loss. Vision can be lost in different ways, but the cause of all RP-related conditions is damage to the retina's ability to respond to light. Although vision deteriorates over time, it is rare for people with RP to go totally blind.
The most common symptoms of RP are difficulty seeing in dusky or poorly lit conditions, and a narrowing of the visual field. This narrowing creates the effect of 'tunnel vision', where sight is lost from either the 2 outer or the upper and lower visual fields. Vision can eventually be compared to looking through a tunnel or a long tube. The early symptoms of RP normally develop between the ages of 10 and 30.
For more information on RP, contact Visibility or
The British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society
PO Box 350
Buckingham
MK18 5EL
Tel: 01280 821 334 (office)
Tel: 01280 860 363 (helpline)
Web: www.brps.org.uk
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which leads to blurred vision and can be compared to looking through frosted glass or a very dirty car windscreen. They affect many people over the age of 60, as well as younger people who have other eye conditions. The symptoms of cataracts, as well as blurred vision, include being dazzled by bright light, the impression that glasses are dirty or scratched, and faded colour vision.
Cataracts are treated through a simple operation that is normally done under local anaesthetic. The damaged lens is removed, and a permanent, plastic replacement lens is inserted. After the operation, most people notice an instant improvement in their sight. Normally, however, it takes several months for the eye to completely heal and for the vision to be fully restored.
For more information on cataracts, contact Visibility.