General Ophthalmology
a. Posterior Vitreous Detachment (Floaters)
What are floaters?
‘Floaters’ are a common experience for most people with normal eyes. They occur because of changes in vitreous jelly, which lies directly in front of the retina. The jelly can be become detached from the retina and is called a posterior vitreous detachment. This can give rise to floaters. They often look like tadpoles or spiders.
Is posterior vitreous detachment harmful?
Detachment of the vitreous from the retina is very common, especially in people over the age of 50. In 90% of patients, there is no damage to the retina and no treatment is needed. It is a once in a lifetime event, and once it is detached, it cannot be reattached.
Can floaters be treated?
If the floaters are troublesome, they can be alleviated by wearing dark glasses. The floaters will usually become less noticeable with time. They are generally harmless and generally do not require treatment. Rarely, the floaters may require surgical removal if they impact on your vision and prevent you from carrying out your day to day activities.
‘Floaters’ are a common experience for most people with normal eyes. They occur because of changes in vitreous jelly. They are generally harmless and generally do not require treatment.
Our Price List
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |
b. Red eye
When does an eye become red?
A red eye can be due to multiple reasons, but the common ones include infections such as conjunctivitis which is usually obvious due to a mild discharge from the eye.
Dry eye and blepharitis can also cause redness of the eye and can be treated by using ocular lubricants or specially targeting the cause of blepharitis.
Redness can also be caused by inflammation of the eye such as scleritis or uveitis. These can be associated with systemic conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune conditions. A specialist with an interest in uveitis is the best person to manage a red eye due to inflammatory eye conditions.
A red eye can also be due to a sudden rise in eye pressure called acute angle closure glaucoma which is an eye emergency. The eye becomes red and painful and often associated with a headache and nausea. Medication is required to bring the eye pressure down
At VISIO Health, we have Consultant led emergency eye care.
Do I need to be concerned if have a red eye?
A red eye usually does not require complex treatment but occasionally, it may be due to infections of the front of the eye and can be sight threatening especially if related to wearing of contact lenses. These need to be treated promptly to prevent complications and long term sight loss.
Rarely, late complications of rubeosis due to neovascularisation, can lead to a red painful eye. Neovascularisation or new vessel formation can occur as a complication of advanced diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion. This needs specialist care and management.
How can a red eye be treated?
Simple infections can be treated with antibiotic eyedrops. Complex eye infections require specialist care.
Uveitis can usually be treated with anti-inflammatory eyedrops. However, specialist care is required in some patients where further investigations and treatment may be required.
Our consultants are experts in treating complex conditions that can cause a red eye such as uveitis and may offer a course of either eyedrops or oral medication depending on the severity of the condition. There are injections also available to treat uveitis.
A red eye usually does not require complex treatment but occasionally, it may be due to infections, inflammation or an elevated eye pressure.
Our Price List
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |
c. Eye pain
When does an eye become painful?
A painful eye can be the result of many reasons and the common ones are dry eye. Less common but requiring urgent attention are elevated eye pressure and inflammation in the eye or uveitis.
Occasionally the use of a contact lens can cause an ulcer or a n infection of the front of the eye and specialist care is needed to manage this condition.
Rarely, late complications of rubeosis due to neovascularisation, can lead to a red painful eye. Neovascularisation or new vessel formation can occur as a complication of advanced diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion. This needs specialist care and management.
Do I need to be concerned if have pain in my eye?
A painful eye is best investigated for the cause of the pain. Usually, it may be a minor cause and there may be no cause for concern. Rarely, it may require intervention and requires specialist care and management.
How can eye pain be treated?
The treatment will depend on the cause of the pain in the eye.
Simple infections can be treated with antibiotic eyedrops. Complex eye infections require specialist care.
Uveitis inflammation in the eye can be usually treated with anti-inflammatory eyedrops. However, specialist care is required in some patients where further investigations and treatment may be required.
Our consultants are experts in treating complex conditions that can cause a red eye such as uveitis and may offer a course of either eyedrops or oral medication depending on the severity of the condition. There are injections also available to treat uveitis.
Our Price List
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |
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FAQs on General Ophthalmology
Regular eye exams help in early detection and treatment of eye conditions, preventing serious complications and maintaining optimal vision health. They can also detect underlying health issues like diabetes and hypertension.
Our Price List
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |