Cataract (clouding of the lens of eye)
You should see an eye specialist your poor vision disrupts daily activities or work. There are different types of cataract:
Glaucoma (raised pressure in the eye)
The usual simple (open angle) glaucoma takes several years to develop. It is only an urgent condition if the pressure in the eye is above 30 mmHg and some loss of vision is already present. Your optometrist can examine and test eye pressure, visual fields and optic disc appearances to help decide the urgency of treatment.
Age Related Macular Degeneration
The commoner 'dry' type of macular degeneration is very slowly progressive but unfortunately is untreatable and therefore not urgent; An eye specialist can confirm the diagnosis and arrange low visual aid advice and partially sighted or blind registration. You may loseyour central vision but oyur peripheral vision is always preserved.
You should be sent to an eye specialist urgently if you have a sudden onset. This suggests a haemorrhagic or 'exudative' type of macular degeneration which can occasionally be arrested by prompt laser treatment.
Squint
If your child has a constant squint, he/she always needs referral to eye specialists and should not wait longer than three months. The risk is the development of amblyopia (blindness in the squinting eye) and the occasional underlying serious abnormality (like cataract). There is less urgency for intermittent squints.
If as an adult you have a sudden onset squint in with double vision and no history of childhood squint you should be seen urgently by an eye specialist (although most are due to microvascular disease).
Retinal Vein Occlusion (blockage of a vein at the back of the eye)
This is not treatable but it may be associated with other condition like systemic hypertension, ocular hypertension and possibly diabetes, and these conditions need to be excluded. Specialists can confirm the diagnosis and predict, and limit with laser in appropriate cases, late complications such as chronic macular oedema, retinal and disc neovascularisation causing vitreous haemorrhage, and rubeotic glaucoma
Ectropion (lax eyelids)
This is not urgent unless your cornea is seriously exposed and especially if is numbed.
Watering Eye (epiphora)
In babies most blocked nasolacrimal ducts will resolve spontaneously. Probing the duct to 'unblock' it is delayed until 12 months of age. It may be done earlier if a persistently sticky eye shows an undesirable bacteria like a haemolytic streptococcus.
If you have a watering eyes you may be referred to eye specialists especially if discharge is present. A diagnostic probing of the nasolacrimal duct will indicate the level of the blockage; if in the common canaliculus, treatment is generally unsatisfactory and cures are short term; if in the nasolacrimal duct itself, cure by operation is more certain. Probing as a treatment is controversial. Syringing alone gives very little information and no relief.
If you are elderly and have intermittent symptoms (especially if there is no actual watering of the eye) you will not benefit from treatments.
Dry Eye
If you have dry eye problems you do not require hospital referral and can be treated with any artificial tear preparation (eg Hypromellose drops). Most sight-threatening dry eye problems are associated with other diseases such as Sjogrens syndrome and require hospital supervision
Chalazion (lumps in the eyelids)
Most Meibomian cysts (chalazia) will disappear spontaneously although this may take many months. Early treatment with incision and curettage causes unnecessary procedures. You can be referred to an eye specialist if the cyst is large or infected and very persistent.
Blepharitis (inflammation of eyelashes and eyelid margin)
You treat this by thorough cleaning of the lid margins with cotton bud dipped in a weak solution of Sodium Bicarbonate (teaspoon to a pint of warm water or equivalent) morning and night - the alkaline residue discourages the growth of the bacteria responsible for the condition. Follow this cleaning with a smear of antibiotic/ hydrocortisone ointment for up to one month. This is a recurrent condition.
A national UK charity which aims to enable blind and partially sighted people to enjoy equal opportunities in every aspect of their lives through work, leisure, housing and support.
Promotes welfare of blind or partially sighted Asian people.
British Computer Association of the Blind
To promote the special needs and interests of the visually impaired who either work in the computing field or have an active interest in computing.
British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society
A self help group which seeks to help its members live with and overcome their visual problems and to bring relief by stimulating research into the causes and eventually the treatment of RP.
British Sjogrens Syndrome Association
BSSA offers information and advice to members on how to cope with the various aspects of Sjogren's syndrome. Quarterky newsletter. Membership £10 per annum.
British wireless for the blind fund
Especially commissioned and developed by the fund, their unique radio cassette recorder is designed to provide a lifetime of reliable service for a listener who is blind.
COTIS - Confederation of Tape Information Service
A self-help grouping of tape recording services, cassette libraries etc both large and small. for people who can't read print?
Dancing Eye Syndrome Support Trust
Principal aim of providing a link for parents of children with D.E.S. both locally and nationally. It gives parents who may feel isolated an opportunity to talk to others who are in the same situation as themselves.
Offers help to Blind, Deaf people, and especially Deafblind people, and those who provide specialized services for those who are Deafblind.
National organisation for deafblind people.
Deafblind UK's Scottish Website
Learn about Deafblind UK's work in Scotland, Guide/communicator service, Usher Syndrome Project in Scotland and Deafblind Manual.
A small site with information on deafblindedness, and pointers to other related sites.
Dedicated to educating the public on the importance of occular health, promoting an interest in eyewear and improving awareness of the benefits of modern optical technology. Lots of info and leaflets available.
International Glaucoma Association
Leber`s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Trust
Provides infomation on Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, also known as LHON, Leber's Optic Atrophy (LOA), Leber's Optic Neuropathy (LON) or Leber's Disease. This is a hereditary mitochondrial condition causing legal blindness in most affected people.
Micro & Anophthalmic Childrens Society
Offers support to families of children with Anopthalmia (Eyelessness), Microphthalmia (Small eyes) and Coloboma (a structural eye defect).
National Library for the Blind
Largest braille lending library in the UK.
Nystagmus is an eye condition characterised by rapid, jerky eye movements. It is a symptom which should always be investigated by a specialist as it can be a result of other disorders.
A national organisation offering support, friendship and information for people with retinoblastoma and their families.
Royal National Institute for the Blind
Royal London Society for the Blind
An international provider of education, training, and employment for blind and partially sighted people.
Royal National College for the Blind
The UK's leading college for people who are blind or partially sighted. Based on a large residential campus where students prepare for a wide range of nationally recognised academic and vocational qualifications. RNC's students are drawn from all over the UK and overseas.
SeeAbility works with adults who are visually impaired and have other disabilities (such as learning disability, physical disability, head injury , mental health difficulties ) to explore their potential, develop skills/independence and enhance the quality of their lives.
Sense, The National Deafblind and Rubella Association
Sense, the world's largest organisation working with and campaigning for deafblind people, their families and professionals who work with them.
A UK-wide, easy to use information service for all those in and concerned with the visually impaired community
This is a band of volunteers who turn text into braille.
Supplies radios, cassette players and TV sound recievers to the registered blind.
If you would like to recommend a suitable Internet link please e-mail the details to us.