It is estimated that approximately 50% of people who go on to lose their sight could have been treated earlier and if so could have preserved their sight. According to the Royal National Institute for the Blind, 12.5 million people in the UK who should be having their eyes tested are not.

A sight test is essential even if you feel your vision is fine as there are a number of conditions that can develop without having any symptoms, such as glaucoma.

Now that sight tests are free in Scotland for all, there is no reason not to come along and have an eye examination at mango optical.

Dry Eye

If you experience 'gritty', 'burning' eyes with fluctuating vision you may have 'dry eye'. Dry eye is quite commonly viewed in practice and is generally age related, however with the increasing frequency of air conditioned offices and workplaces dry eye is commonly seen in all age groups. Dry eye is caused either when you produce an insufficient quantity of tears or when the quality of the tears is too poor to properly lubricate the eye.

A smooth tear film over the front surface of the eye provides a perfect optical surface, however in the case of a dry eye sufferer, if they experience a broken, poor tear film then this can result in visual disruption.

Tear film stability tests are easily and frequently carried out in practice and depending upon the findings a suitable form of treatment can be recommended.

Cataracts

Cataracts are caused by a gradual clouding and yellowing of the lens in the eye which can result in a reduction in vision, contrast and reduced ability to decipher colours. Other symptoms a patient may experience with cataracts are halos around lights, glare or polyopia, which is seeing multiple images of one particular target with one eye.

Cataracts generally develop in one eye quicker than the other with no predetermining factors deciding this .
Cataracts are generally age related however they can be found in all age groups in the form of congenital, diabetic or traumatic cataracts.
Exposure to excessive amounts of U.V light can increase the likelihood of cataract development, which is why it is so important to wear sun spectacles with appropriate U.V filters.

An eye examination can easily determine the location and severity of a cataract and based upon the signs and symptoms of the patient then an appropriate form of action can be taken.

Age Related Macular Degeneration

ARMD can develop in one of two forms, wet or dry.

Wet macular degeneration is by far the least common form however it can be more visually devastating due to the rapid onset and level of vision loss.

Dry macular degeneration is the most common form and can produce a reduction in vision over a longer period of time.
Macular degeneration as the name suggests is an age related degeneration of the area which controls central vision within the
eye (the Macula).

It can result in a loss of central vision in one or both eyes.

Common symptoms include a distortion of vision particularly noticeable when looking at straight lines, such as the edge of a door frame or window blinds.

An internal check of the eyes is conducted during each eye exam to check for Macular Degeneration and further supplementary tests can also be conducted to check progression or onset.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma can come in a variety of different forms and for this reason it is important to have a detailed eye examination carried out.

The most common form of glaucoma is as a result of raised pressure within the eye, this in turn, over a period of time presses against the nerve fibres in the eye and can cause them to die resulting in reduction of vision and loss of peripheral vision.

Glaucoma can be quite far developed before any symptoms are noted which places extra emphasis on regular eye exams.
Tests such as visual fields, intra-ocular pressures and optic nerve assessments are carried out as part of the test in order to determine and monitor glaucoma development..

Anyone over the age of 40, with a family history of glaucoma is entitled to a free annual sight test.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic Eye Disease is the largest cause of blindness in the working age population.

Diabetes causes a weakening of the fine blood vessels in the eye and over time this can result in a leakage of blood from these vessels. If this continues over a period of time then the retina will be without sufficient levels of oxygen which is normally supplied by the blood.

Diabetic patients are entitled to a free sight test every year to screen for diabetic eye disease. This test will involve putting drops in the eye to increase the amount of the retina that can be seen by the optometrist and a more thorough examination to take place.