Eye Infections...
Below are our articles on the subject of Eye Infections. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
Amblyopia or Lazy Eye
Amblyopia is a disorder of the eyes resulting in changes in visual ability. Often called 'lazy eye', it shouldn't be confused with a common misconception that a lazy eye turns either inwards or outwar...
An Accident at Work Detached My Retina!
After a bad eye injury that resulted in a detached retina, Mark was lucky that surgery and laser treatment were able to save his sight....
Angiogenesis Inhibitors and the Eye
Angiogenesis inhibitors are drugs that prevent or slow down the process of angiogenesis. Several have been trialled extensively to see if they can help slow the disease process in these retinal diseas...
Are my Glasses Affecting my Eyes?
Pain that is felt in the eye can be caused by many different sources including getting a new lens prescription or by the type of lens itself....
Astigmatism
A description of the eye condition called astigmatism, how it occurs, how it affects eyesight and how it is treated....
Astigmatism - What is the Cause of This?
Astigmatism is a very common eye condition and the associated symptoms can be minimal or quite severe resulting in pain and
blurred vision....
Benign Eye Tumours
Benign eye tumours may cause very similar symptoms as malignant tumours and can cause a lot of worry for the individual....
Blepharitis
Blephgaritis is a condition of the eyelids caused by the area becoming sore and inflamed. It is a common occurence and can be treated easily at home....
Blepharoplasty, Eye Lid Surgery
Blepharoplasty is a form of surgery that involves the removal or reconstruction of the upper or lower eyelids. It is usually carried out on those with excessive drooping of the upper lids or large puf...
Brow Lifts and the Eyes
A brow lift may not be the first thing that springs to mind when we think about the eyes, but a droopy brow can make a huge difference to the appearance of your eyes and the eye area....
Can False Eyelashes Damage Your Eyes?
False eyelashes and eyelash extensions are glamorous but they are fixed using strong adhesive. Make sure you have a patch test and don’t overdo it if you want to keep your eyes and natural lashes heal...
Cataract Removal Surgery
Cataract removal is a very safe and effective form of surgery offered when a persons vision becomes disturbed due to clouding of the the lens....
Causes of Blindness Worldwide: Facts and Figures
Nearly 40 million people in the world are blind and over a hundred million more have some sort of visual impairment. Most live in the developing world....
Chalazion or Lump on Eyelid
A chalazion is a cyst that develops on the edges of the eyelid due to a blockage in one of the tiny glands around the eyelid. Fluid builds-up causing a swelling that can be painful and inflamed....
Colour Vision: What Employers Need to Know
Employers need to be aware of the impact of colour vision on their employees, particularly if not being able to tell one colour from another has health and safety implications....
Combating Presbyopia
Presbyopia is easily treating with reading glasses, contact lenses or surgery. There are benefits and disadvantages with each treatment so it is important to decide what is best for you....
Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer vision syndrome is a name given when the eyes become dry and straining due to spending long periods looking at a computer screen....
Contact Lens Trials Explained
Contact lens trials were created to try and entice more people into using contact lenses, and for the consumer they are an excellent way of finding out if they are for you without making a definite fi...
Corneal Disease
Corneal diseases can occur for a number of reasons; genetics, age, accidental damage and degenerative disease can all contribute to the development of corneal disease....
Corneal Ulcers
Corneal ulcers are sores that develop on the fluid filled dome seen at the front of the eye. They occur ofte nbecause of infections and dry eyes. Contact lense wearers are more at risk due the higher ...
Costs of Cosmetic Eye Surgery
Different types of cosmetic eye surgery are available - blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lifts, laser eye treatment and eyelash transplants. Costs of the treatments vary and tend to be cheaper ou...
Designer Glasses: Are They Worth It?
Designer glasses have become popular in the last decade - they can cost more than more basic styles but they turn a necessity into a fashion accessory....
Detached Retina
A description of the detached retina, its causes and its treatment....
Diabetes and Eyes
Diabetes affects over 2 million people in the UK. It is important to look after your eye sight if you have diabetes. Diabetes can lead to a number of complications including eye health problems....
Diabetes Damaged My Sight: Case Study
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body cannot control its own blood sugar levels. In the long term, this can lead to cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy - and ultimately vision loss...
Diabetic Retinopathy
People with diabetes are at risk of developing complications in the eyes. The most serious condition which could develop is diabetic retinopathy. Although the condition can lead to sight loss, if it i...
Diagnosing Ocular Tumours
Diagnosing any tumours of the eye can be difficult highlighting the importance for regular eye examinations and knowing how your own eyes look and feel so you can pick up on any changes early on....
Does Altitude Effect Glaucoma?
Living at high altitudes can have an effect on health but does this put the eyes at greater risk of developing serious eye conditions....
Does an Optic Nerve Grow?
Helping to understand what the condition GA1 entails and potential future developments to help in its treatment...
Double Vision
A description of the effects, the common causes and the treatment of double vision....
Driving and Eyesight
Drivers should look after their eye sight to ensure they do not endanger themselves or other road users when driving. If they need to wear glasses or contact lenses they must always wear them when dri...
Eye Cancer Symptoms
Eye cancer may go unnoticed for some time as the symptoms of early onset eye tumours can be mistaken for other ocular conditions....
Eye Infections
There are many infections which can affect the eyes. Some are more common such as conjunctivitis and some may occur as a result of other infections in the body such as shingles....
Eye Melanoma: What is It?
Eye melanoma is both a rare form of eye cancer and a rare form of melanoma. There are only around 500 cases diagnosed in the UK each year....
Eye Sight Charts: How Are They Different?
Visual acuity, the quality of vision can be measured relatively easily using charts. These are used by opticians to see how many letters you can read with each eye....
Eye Tests and Diagnosing Albinism
People with albinism always have poor vision and an eye test is now used as the main diagnostic method to identify people who may be albinos....
Eyewear for the Partially Sighted
Those who are partially sighted can do most of the things fully sighted people can – including having cool eyewear....
First Trip to the Optician
Regular eye tests are very important for children as good eyesight is crucial to help them develop at school and interact socially. Many problems can be treated whilst the eye is still developing. Eve...
Flashes and Floaters
Many people experience floaters or flashes of light at some time. These are generally not harmful to your eyesight but should always be checked out to make sure. They could be a sign of something more...
Fungal Eye Infections
The reason we are not plagued by fungal eye infections most of the time is that the tears that bathe our eyes are full of substances that repel fungal spores but fungi can grow in the eye under specia...
Glasses or Contacts?
Around two thirds of the adult population wear glasses or contact lenses. What is suitable for you may depend on your own preference or your lifestyle....
Glasses or Contacts? How to Choose
If you need something to correct your vision, making the choice between glasses or contact lenses requires some careful thought....
Hay Fever and Allergies
Many people suffer from hay-fever and allergies but there are a few simple measures you can take to ease the symptoms....
Herpes Infections in the Eye
When the Herpes simplex virus infects the eye, it only multiplies in the surface layer of cells, in the cornea. When the cornea is infected, it leads to a condition known as keratitis, which can be pa...
How Do I Know an Eye Test is Correct?
People do make mistakes and we must accept this, but as consumer's should we have to pay the price for someone else's inaccuracies?...
How the Eye Works
A simplified description of how the eye works, listing its main components and their functions and how an image is produced and transmitted to the brain....
How to Learn Braille
Braille might seem outdated the days, but it remains important, and anyone can learn it....
How to Look After Your Eyesight
Keeping healthy is not only important for your mind and body but it will also keep your eyes healthy. We often forget how important our eyesight is to us, so it is vital to look after our eyes....
I Had Cosmetic Surgery on My Eyelids
Cosmetic surgery to treat droopy eyelids is a straightforward operation that can produce excellent results but you need to be aware of the risks and make sure it’s right for you....
I Had to Have Laser Treatment for RVO: A Case Study
Laser treatment is commonly used to stop the leakage of fluid at the back of the retina that occurs after a retinal vein occlusion but it's also important to look at your lifestyle to prevent recurren...
I Have a False Eye and Few People Notice: Case Study
People have to have a false eye made by an ocularist for many different reasons - an accident, a birth defect, and retinoblastoma or because of war. Today, the results are amazing and no-one can tell....
Infant Eye Hygiene
Caring for your baby's eyes is an integral part of being a parent or carer. Often simply warm clean water and some clean cotton gauze or pads will be sufficient for maintaining the child's eyes....
Iritis Explained
Iritis is a condition of the eye caused by the inflammation of the irtis which is the coloured area around the pupil....
Is a Vitreous Haemorrhage Serious?
A vitreous haemorrhage occurs inside the gel-filled interior of the eyeball, usually because of a tear in the retina. Tiny amounts of blood are released but this can cause sudden vision loss....
Is There an Operation for 'Lazy Eye'?
A lazy eye is out of alignment and it often has poor vision. Glasses, an operation and special exercises can all help....
Itchy, Sticky Eyes: What Could Be the Cause?
Redness, itching and weeping of the eyes could be caused by many things and it is important to try and determine the cause and treat as necessary....
Keratoconus
Keratoconus can begin to develop in your late teens or twenties but it may take some time to be detected, as the condition occurs very slowly over time. Treatments are available ranging from eye drops...
Lasek and Lasik Eye Surgery: What is the Difference?
LASIK and LASEK are both types of laser eye surgery that use a laser to remodel the shape of the cornea to treat long sight, short sight and astigmatism, but the technique used is different....
Lazy Eye and Squint
Common eye problems for children include lazy eye and squints. As with other eye conditions the sooner they are picked up the more successful treatment will be....
Living with Low Vision
The majority of people with low vision are older people. Sight problems can range from partial loss of sight to complete blindness. Sight loss affects people very differently not only in terms of the ...
Long Sightedness
Many people experience some form of long-sightedness, especially as they get older. Those people who have the eye condition find it difficult to see objects close up but can see things clearly in the ...
My Lazy Eye Got Me Bulllied at School
Having a lazy eye and having to wear an eye patch to correct it can be distressing for children at school and it can lead to serious bullying....
My Mum Has Macular Degeneration
Age related macular degeneration affects older people but has a devastating impact when it leads to blindness, particularly when sight is lost suddenly....
My New Lens Dislocated: A Case Study
Cataract operations are common in the UK and the success rates are very good. Only about 1 per cent of operations result in some sort of problem and lens dislocation is one of the most common....
My Son is Colour Blind: Case Study
Colour blindness occurs when the eye is not able to detect one or more of the three main colours, red, blue and green. Being colour blind can mean overcoming significant hurdles at work....
Night Blindness Explained
Night blindness (or nyctalopia) is a condition that causes a decreased visual ability in dim light. It may or may not be treatable depending on the cause....
Night Vision
Some people find it harder to see at night time than others. Any problems with your eyes are often accentuated when it is dark. Driving is particularly more dangerous after dark as visibility is much ...
Nystagmus
Nystagmus is a disorder of the eye commonly believed to be causes primarily due to communications problems between the eye and the brain or because of other conditions of the eye such as glaucoma or c...
Photodynamic Therapy for Opthalmic Conditions
Photodynaic therapy is a way of treating macular dengenration when over growth of blood vessels to the macular area is the cause of visual loss....
Picking Suitable Frames
There is such a variety of frames available that it can often be very difficult to choose a pair of glasses. There are a few tips you can follow to find frames to suit you. The type you select may als...
Poor Vision or Something More Serious?
Many eye problems in children are difficult to detect and as children are often not able to say when there is a problem it is important to look for signs. Some conditions such as lazy eye can lead to ...
Pros and Cons of Coloured Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are now available in non-prescription strengths. They don’t improve your eyesight but they do change the colour of the eyes and have other effects. They can be safe, if you are careful....
Protecting Your Eyes from UV
We are all aware of the damaging effects of the sun on our skin yet many of us are not aware of the need to protect our eyes. It is important to wear adequate eyewear which will prevent damage to your...
Protecting Your Eyes When Playing Sport
Wearing special eyewear for sport is important to reduce the risk of accidents and to help you play sport to the best of your ability. Sport goggles have been developed so that those who have an eye p...
Questionnaire: Do I Need an Eye Test?
Many people don't ever think about an eye test but getting your eyes checked out once a year is a good idea. Ask yourself if you need an eye test....
Questionnaire: How Well Do You Know Your Eyes?
The eyes are said to be the window to the soul, but how well do you know about this important gateway? Try answering this short set of questions on some important structures in the eye....
Reconstructive Eye Surgery
Reconstructive eye surgery is extremely important in the restoration of normality for patients who have suffered disease, illness or injury to the eye or eye area....
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Retinal vein occlusion occurs when the small veins that carry blood away from the retina become blocked. These blockages can be caused by blood clots developed from thickened blood, fatty plaques or b...
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Reitinits pigmentosa is a disorder of the retina causing the individual to lose ability to see in poor light, or to experience tunnel vision....
Rosacea in the Eye
Rosacea is a condition that affects the skin but occasionally it can spread to the tissues of the eye, causing a mild infection....
Services for the Housebound
Visiting opticians provide a vital service to people who are housebound and cannot visit a high street practice. They will carry out an eye test and dispense glasses in a person’s own home....
Shingles in the Eye
Shingles can be very distressing, causing a large outbreak of spots along the body. Often, if affects the face and head, erupting at the side of the face and on the outer and inner structures of the e...
Short Sightedness
Short sightedness is a very common eye problem. It can easily be corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses, however laser treatment is becoming more popular to treat this condition....
Sight Deterioration with Age (Presbyopia)
Many people believe loosing your eye sight is just part of getting old. However, good eye sight can be restored by wearing glasses or contact lenses. But poor vision could also be a sign of something ...
Signs Your Child has Poor Vision
The things you should look out for that may indicate that your child has, or may develop, poor vision....
Squint Repair
A squint causes the eye to appear to turn inwards and is often due to weakened muscles or as a consequence of some childhood illnesses. Repairs may or may not involve the use of surgery....
Styes
Styes are small but painful lumps that can develop on the eyelids often as a result of a bacterial infection. They may or may not need medical treatment depending on their size, duration of infection ...
Support for People With Eye Cancer
Receiving a diagnosis of eye cancer can be very frightening, but the journey can be made easier by making use of the supportive networks and groups that are available....
Symptoms and Causes of Keratitis
For various reasons, injury, illness and infection, the cornea of the eye can become sore and inflamed. This is known as keratitis, and it has a wide range of causes....
Teaching Children About Eye Health
Regular eye tests are important for everyone to ensure any problems are picked up early and treated. Children should be encouraged to look after their eyes from an early age to ensure their eyes remai...
Telescopic Eye Implants Help Treat Macular Degeneration
Telescopic eye implants are now available for people over 75 who have age related macular degeneration; the implants magnify images and focus them on healthy parts of the retina...
The Latest Eye Tests
Eye tests are not just about finding out whether you are short or long sighted. They can also reveal a range of health conditions, some affecting the eye, but others that affect the whole body....
The Process of Getting a Guide Dog
Getting a guide dog is easier than you might imagine, and it can greatly help the lives of those who are blind or partially sighted....
The Pros and Cons of Laser Eye Surgery
laser surgery is becoming increasingly popular to treat eye problems. As with any surgery there are some risks involved but there are also many benefits....
The RNIB and How it Supports the Blind
The RNIB provides advice, support and information to anyone in the UK who has experienced sight loss and is currently actively helping nearly 2 million people....
Toxocariasis and the Eye
Toxocariasis is a parasitic infection caused by the round worms that can infect dogs and cats. The parasite is passed from the faeces of a domestic dog or domestic cat to either a child or young adult...
Travelling with Contacts and Glasses
Many of us would be lost if we forgot to take our glasses or contact lenses with us when travelling away from home. As well as carefully packing your glasses or contact lenses check this advice, to en...
Treating Age Related Macular Degeneration
There has been much in the press recently about treatments for AMD. However these treatments cannot restore eyesight to a person who has lost their sight. It is crucial that the condition is detected ...
Treating Cataracts
Cataracts can easily be treated and good eyesight is usually restored after surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the most common operations and has a very successful rate....
Treating Glaucoma
Having glaucoma does not mean that you will loose all your sight. If the condition is caught early and is treated, much of your sight can be preserved. This article examines the treatments available....
Treating Ocular Tumours
Eye tumours can be treated in a number of ways; surgery, laser therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In some instances they may require no treatment at all except careful observation....
Types of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are increasingly popular as an alternative to wearing glasses. There are several different types to choose from and your optician can advise which ones are best for you....
Types of Glasses Lenses
New lenses are always being developed so there is a great range available. The type of lenses you choose will depend on your lifestyle and the activities you enjoy doing. Your optician will be able to...
Types of Ocular Tumours
Eye cancers come in various forms with some affecting the inside of the eye itself, while others develop around the eyelids or orbit....
Types of Retinal Laser Treatment
Clinical trials have shown that several types of laser treatment can protect the eye from further degeneration, and can slow down or even halt the process of sight and vision loss....
Types of Sunglasses
Sunglasses come in many forms and there are a number of lenses which can be fitted as sunglasses. There are sunglasses to suit difference activities. Everyone regardless of whether they normally wear ...
Using Contact Lenses
There are over 3 million people in the UK who wear contact lenses. Although they are very convenient to wear they do require a lot of looking after. It is vital that you care and clean for your contac...
Using Drops and Ointments for Your Eyes
Eye drops and ointments can treat many minor eye problems and symptoms. For serious eye conditions such as glaucoma they are a vital treatment to prevent patient’s losing their sight....
VDUs and Your Eyesight
If you use computers regularly at home or at work it is important to look after eyesight. Prolonged use of a VDU can lead to minor eye problems which are known as computer vision syndrome. Taking regu...
What a Cornea Transplant Involves
Corneal transplant surgery is often offered as a method of improving vision caused by badly damaged corneas and involves the usage of donor corneas....
What Aids are available for Partial Vision?
A guide to understanding what tools, aids and supplements can be helpful for people with partial sight...
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts mostly affect older people. The lens in the eye becomes cloudy causing blurred vision. The condition is easily treated....
What Are Intravitreal Implants?
An intravitreal implant is placed into the centre of the eyeball and is a new and innovative way of delivering drugs that can help to treat various types of eye disease....
What Are Photoreceptors?
Photoreceptors are specialised cells found in the retina at the back of the eye. They allow us to see contrast and shade and the definition of objects, and also to see the colour of those objects....
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye can mean a number of conditions which affect the amount and quality of fluid in the eye. There are several treatments available which can ease symptoms and treat the problem depending on the t...
What Do Intravitreal Injections Treat?
Intravitreal injections are done to introduce a drug or treatment directly into the eye to treat conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusion....
What Do You Do When You're Losing Your Sight
Everything changes when you lose you sight, but there are things that can be done to ensure you keep living a full life....
What Does it Mean to Be Legally Blind?
For legal purposes, it is necessary for us to define blindness so that people with vision too poor to drive are prevented from doing so, and also to protect their rights....
What Does Uveitis Mean?
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, an inner layer of the eyeball. Understanding the causes and symptoms of uveitis can help you recognise it early so that you can get prompt treatment....
What Does VEGF Do in the Eye?
VEGF is such a complex family of molecules that we are only just starting to tease apart all of the functions of each individual type. Although some are helpful, some accelerate retinal disease....
What Happens at an Eye Examination?
Eye tests are important not only to check your eye sight but to ensure you don’t have any other eye health problems. But what can you expect from an eye test?...
What is a Retinoblastoma?
A retinoblastoma is a fairly rare type of cancer that occurs most commonly in children under five years old; treatment is very successful and has a cure rate of between 95 and 98 per cent....
What is Age Related Macular Degeneration?
A description of age-related macular degeneration, its causes and effects, preventive measures and treatments....
What is Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by an allergic reaction. It is a common response to many different types of allergen, and causes red, itchy eyes....
What is an Orthoptist and How Can They Help With Eye Problems?
An orthoptist is an important eye care specialist whose role involves assessing and treating patients who might have a range of eye problems....
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye condition which affects around 2% of people aged over 40 years. Treatments are effective if the condition is detected early....
What is Graves' Ophthalmology?
Commonly associated with thyroid disorders, Graves' ophthalmology is an inflammatory condition of the eyes that can lead to serious complications if not diagnosed and treated effectively....
What is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is increasingly popular for people who need to wear glasses or contact lenses but as with any surgery there are some risks involved. Laser treatment will not necessarily mean you nev...
What is Lucentis?
Lucentis is a new drug that has been developed to treat the inflammation that develops in retinal diseases such as age related macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusion....
What is Ozurdex?
Ozurdex is a new treatment in development for retinal diseases such as retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. It is an implant containing a steroid that reduces inflammation in the retina....
What is Retinal Vein Occlusion, RVO
Retinal vein occlusion is a disease that affects the back of the eye. When the retinal vein is blocked by a blood clot, this causes bleeding inside the eye and inflammation in the retina. The result c...
What is the Blood Retinal Barrier?
The blood retinal barrier is a barrier that stops blood from the rest of the body mixing too much with the blood that bathes the delicate tissues of the eye. It can mean the difference between perfect...
What is the Cause of my Itchy Eye?
Dry and itchy eyes are quite common andmost of us will know that a head cold, the weather and the central heating can cause this to happen, but there may be other reasons too....
What is the Cause of Seeing Bright Colours and Patterns?
Seeing wavy lines, zig zags or coloured spots may indicate that there is a problem with your eyes and should be investigated by a professional....
What is Trachomatis?
Trachomatis describes a type of Chlamydia, a bacterium that causes a sexually transmitted infection; few people realise that it is also the leading cause of preventable blindness in developing countri...
What is Vitrectomy Surgery?
The inside of eye is made up of fluid called the vitreous and occasionally this fluid may need to be removed to some degree in a process called a vitrectomy....
What Makes Colour Vision Possible?
Cones, light sensitive cells in the retina of the eye detect light of different colours and undergo a change that sends signals to the brain via the optic nerve. The brain interprets these signals as ...
What Makes Our Eyes Different Colours
Eye colour in humans is complex, due to the pattern of pigment in the cells of the iris. In turn, this is thought to be controlled by at least 6 separate genes....
What's Causing My Itchy Eyes and 'Cloudy' Vision?
Minor eye problems are very common and often are not harmful or cause any long term damage but as they are such a delicate organ any complaints should be investigated just in case....
When Your Children Need Glasses
Some advice on how to make sure you child feels as good as possible when they have to start wearing glasses...
White Glow in Corner of Eye: What Can it Be?
A white light that seems to be coming from the eye is always a reflection. Abnormal reflections can mean something is seriously wrong and should be checked out carefully....
Why Did I Wait So Long to Get Varifocals?
Most people develop presbyopia in their mid 40s. This age related long sight makes it difficult to focus on small print but varifocals can solve the problem, and can be fitted in designer frames....
Why Do Eyelids Twitch?
Sometimes we can feel our eyelid twitching and if we are quick enough we may be able to visualise this in a mirror, but is this condition a cause for concern?...
Why Go to the Optician?
An outline of the importance of regular sight tests, emphasising the ways in which opticians can detect many potentially serious eye conditions in the early stages, enabling effective treatment....