AMD
Age Related Macular Degeration.
With an aging population more and more press coverage of this condition is heightening the awareness of AMD. September 15rd to the 20th 2014 was a week of promoting awareness of this condition, which proved to be a great success.
AMD is a progressive condition that can affect people as they get older. It tends to run in families and there seems to be an environmental trigger. Certain regions within the country seems to have a higher density of sufferers.There are different forms which have different outcomes for vision. AMD accounts for 45% of people over 70 years of age who are registered as legally blind. With macular degeneration central vision does become severely affected but sufferers will retain a certain level of peripheral vision.

Blurred Vision

What causes AMD?
AMD is the result of the ageing processes in the eye. The part of the retina (the tissue on the inside of the eye) responsible for seeing fine detail and colours and for making out facial features and shapes, is the macula. The macula is affected in age-related macular degeneration. This part of the eye suffers “wear and tear” over time and it is believed that a build up of waste material at and around the macula is the reason for the reduction in vision that occurs in this condition.

Symptoms: There are two types of AMD, Dry and Wet.
Dry AMD is the most common form of the condition and usually causes gradual changes in vision, often little changes over many years.
Wet AMD affects a much smaller percentage of sufferers and is usually of sudden onset with significant and obvious reduction in vision. In Wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels develop beneath the macula and begin to leak. This leakage of fluid results in straight lines looking wavy or distorted. In some cases of Wet AMD treatment is possible, but it is vital that referral to a retinal specialist occurs as soon as possible.

How is AMD detected and diagnosed?
People with AMD may notice that their vision has deteriorated. Many patients do not realise that they have a problem until their vision becomes significantly blurred. Optometrists perform a number of tests in an examination that enable them to detect the presence of AMD in the early stages.

The optometrist examines the macula carefully with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope that allows examination of the interior of the eye. Sometimes the optometrist may place a drop in the eye to dilate the pupil to get a better view of the internal structures. Through the ophthalmoscope the optometrist will look for changes in the structure of the macula such as accumulations of waste material or new blood vessels.

Another test that may be used is a grid pattern known as an Amsler chart. Patients with AMD often report that sections of the grid appear to be distorted or missing as illustrated below. During the AMD awareness week there will be free screening for patients concerned about their own susceptibility or their strong familial history to the condition. Opticalrooms is parting in this free screen in both our Swords and Blanchardstown clinics.

Treatment:
There is no way to reverse the damage done to the retina in AMD. Where new blood vessels have appeared in the macula area (Wet AMD), laser surgery may be used. In this treatment a focused, intense beam of laser light is used to seal off leaking blood vessels and to prevent new vessels growing. This treatment is most successful in the early stages of the condition. However there is a risk that the damage will continue to develop even after getting the laser treatment and usually the treatment aims to stop things getting worse rather than returning vision to what it was before the condition developed.

While there is little that can be done to prevent or cure AMD, people with the disease can be helped to continue functioning normally. Many patients with AMD will eventually come under the classification of being a low vision patient. Optometrists can discuss and advise on low vision aids such as magnifiers, high-powered spectacles and miniature telescopes amongst others.

What should you do to avoid AMD?
For treatment of AMD to be effective, it must be diagnosed as early as possible. Regular eye examinations are the key to early detection of retinal changes and other signs of disease. If you notice any change in the quality of your vision, have your eyes examined immediately. Regular examinations are particularly important for people over the age of 50 years and people whose families have a history of eye conditions

The latest research advises that diet can be useful in avoiding this problem and smoking has been indicated as a risk factor for developing the condition. Some people are advised to take oral vitamin supplements to reduce the risk of developing AMD, always consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist before taking any such supplements.

The following fruit and vegetables have been reported to have some effect in reducing the risk of developing AMD

Yellow / Orange – corn, oranges, squash

Green – kale, brocolli, cabbage

We would like to thank our Association for their contribution to this article.

Association of Optometrists Ireland

Pink Eye

Pink eye a term frequently used to describe conjunctivitis can be difficult to diagnose, at least what is the underlieing cause. Here we have an infographic to help get a quick understanding of the difference signs and symptoms and some easy remedies.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have a specific concern. We can also be contact on 1 779 0999 or Here.

Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye

We carry out assessment for Pink Eye or conjuctivitis with our GP based clinics both in Swords and Blanchardstown.

i) Meridian Clinic, Blanchardstown. Monday -Thursdays 9.00 to 19.30

Fridays 9.00 to 17.30

Saturdays 10.00 to 12.30

ii) Boroimhe Clinic, Swords. Monday -Thursdays 9.00 to 18.30

Fridays 9.00 to 18.00

Saturdays – Closed
Click here on the image to

Book an Appointment

Conjunctivitis, what type? Let us guide you.

Conjunctivitis

Pink eye typical appearance of Conjunctivitis

This commonly used,yet often misunderstood, term is an inflammation of the conjunctiva layer.

The conjunctiva is a clear outer layer that begins on the inner lid margin (of the upper and lower lids), travels the length of the lids to the eye ball and then envelopes back on the eyeball to end at the cornea, at the front of the eye. Here we recommend some effective treatments, lid hygiene, antibacterial washes etc

When you blink the conjunctiva layer lining the lids slides over the conjunctiva layer covering the front of the eyeball. So this should help you understand, when the conjunctiva is inflamed every time you blink the two inflamed surfaces pass over each other. They are usually quite dry because of the inflammation and the movement causes further irritation and discomfort.

If you are concerned call along and have an assessment Book Here online or call 01 779 0999

Conjunctivitis, what type? Let us guide you.

But what causes this tissue to inflame?

As with most medical problems, there can be many reasons, but to summarize:
– Viral infections
– Bacterial infections
– Allergic reactions
– Trauma events/irritants

As you may know, it is not possible to cure viral conjunctivitis. This type of conjunctivitis is associated with the cold or flue adenovirus.
The symptoms are a pink,swollen,glassy appearance. It can affect both eyes, or only one.

Bacterial conjunctivitis differs from viral in that it is generally pus forming. Patients describe “sleep” in their eye and a sticky feeling. Usually the eye is more red and injected looking.
There are many bacteria that cause this type of conjunctivitis, and contrary to popular belief, Brolene eye drops do not cure all bacterial infections! A much more effective remedy is to cleans the eye lids with a solution like Blephasol which removes the causative bacteria and allows the eyes to recover. Add a few drops of the solution to some cotton wool and wash the lids with Blephasol, using a separate piece of cotton wool for each eye. Wash hands after cleaning the lids.

Allergic conjunctivitis is, as it’s name suggests, caused by an allergen such as pollen and is more easily distinguishable by the itchy, watery pink eye. Typically all the other hay fever type symptoms will be present.

Not so typical are allergic reactions from preservatives within eye drops themselves. It is not uncommon for a patient using an antibiotic eye drop to treat a bacterial conjunctivitis, to return with an allergic conjunctivitis due to an allergic reaction to the preservative within the antibiotic eye drop!

Allergic reactions can occur from exposure to any chemical toxic to the eye, or anything physical within the eye, e.g. contact lenses.
This is closely aligned to the traumatic causes of conjunctivitis, where something enters the eye to physically damage this wafer thin tissue.

An easy way to make a general distinction between the types of conjunctivitis:

Viral conjunctivitis has a light red, watery eye, often teamed with light sensitivity.
Bacterial conjunctivitis has a mucky, sticky eye that is gritty and uncomfortable.
Allergic conjunctivitis has a swollen, watery, itchy eye.
Chemical and traumatic induced conjunctivitis are painful and the sufferer has great difficultly keeping the injured eye open.

We have tried to give you a basic overview of conjunctivitis, however, if you would like more detailed information or if you have any further queries, please feel free to submit them to us at info@opticalrooms.com and a member of our team will be happy help.