Ophthalmology
Advice Articles

World Glaucoma Week
9/3/2020
At LivingCare we have several specialist Ophthalmology consultants and nurses who can help diagnose your eye condition and find the best treatment to suit your needs.
Glaucoma is a condition which can affect sight, usually due to build up of pressure within the eye. It often affects both eyes, usually to varying degrees. One eye may develop glaucoma quicker than the other.
The eyeball contains a fluid called aqueous humour which is constantly produced by the eye, with any excess drained through tubes. Glaucoma develops when the fluid cannot drain properly and pressure builds up, known as the intraocular pressure. This can damage the optic nerve (which connects the eye to the brain) and the nerve fibres from the retina (the light-sensitive nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye).
LivingCare have an OCT machine for patients who suffer with Glaucoma.
Watery eyes occur if too many tears are produced or if they cannot drain away properly.
The problem can affect anyone, but it's most common in young babies and people older than 60. It can cause blurred vision, sore eyelids and sticky eyes.
Glands in the eyelids (Meibomian glands) normally secrete an oily substance that slows the evaporation of tears between blinks.
When these glands don't function properly, known as Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), it can result in dry patches on your eyes. These become sore, and extra tears are produced as a reflex. This is the most likely cause of watering eyes.
Other problems that can cause extra tears to be produced include:
Dry eye syndrome, or dry eye disease, is a common condition that occurs when the eyes don't make enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to the eyes drying out and becoming red, swollen and irritated.
Dry eye syndrome is also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or simply "dry eyes".
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome are mild for most people, although more severe cases can be painful and lead to complications.
Symptoms usually affect both eyes and often include:
Some people may also have episodes of watering eyes, which can occur if the eye tries to relieve the irritation by producing more tears.
Blepharitis is a common condition where the edges of the eyelids (eyelid margins) become red and swollen (inflamed).
Blepharitis can develop at any age, and symptoms can include:
In most cases both eyes are affected, but one eye can be more affected than the other. The symptoms tend to be worse in the morning.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a painless eye condition that causes you to lose central vision, usually in both eyes.
Central vision is what you see when you focus straight ahead. In AMD, this vision becomes increasingly blurred, which means:
This sight loss usually happens gradually over time, although it can sometimes be rapid.
AMD doesn't affect your peripheral vision (side vision), which means it will not cause complete blindness.
Dry AMD develops when the cells of the macula become damaged by a build-up of deposits called drusen. With dry AMD, the deterioration of vision can be very slow. You won't go completely blind, as your peripheral (side) vision shouldn't be affected.
Help is available to make tasks such as reading and writing easier. Getting practical help may improve your quality of life and make it easier for you to carry out your daily activities. Staff can provide useful advice and practical support to help minimise the effect dry AMD has on your life.
We're always on hand, so get in touch and we'll get back to you straight away.
Speak to our teamYou can receive this treatment at any one of the locations below.
Your healthcare journey in 4 easy steps
Get in Touch
Call us on Leeds 0113 2494655 or Sheffield 0114 7005811 or use our online booking form to send your enquiry. Let us know your preferred appointment type, either virtual or face to face, and we will work to find a time that suits you.
We Arrange Your Appointment
If you filled out our online booking form, one of our team will contact you within 2 hours with available appointment options. Once your appointment is booked, you will receive an email confirmation with all the details you need.
Attend Your Appointment
Attend your appointment at your chosen time, either virtually or in person, with one of our highly qualified consultants. If your appointment requires a written report, this will be prepared and sent to you within 48 hours.
Aftercare and Follow-Up
If you need any further tests, treatment or follow-up, we will help arrange these for you. If you require a copy of your report or images, please let us know and we will send these promptly.
Explore the various options available for this treatment.
With our self-pay service, there are no waiting lists - consultations are offered within 24 hours, with treatment within a week. All costs, including tests or scans, are quoted upfront with no obligation to proceed. Visit our Prices page for full details.
If using medical insurance, contact your provider to confirm coverage for all treatment stages before your first appointment. You’ll need a referral letter from your GP for a private procedure at The LivingCare Group. Once you have it, either you or your GP can book your first appointment with us.
9/3/2020