What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is an eye condition that can affect the clarity of your vision and make it more difficult for you to focus on objects and your surroundings. It is most common in eyes where the cornea is oval like a rugby ball instead of spherical like a football. This causes light to focus at more than one point in the eye, resulting in blurred vision.

Astigmatism can be a mild or fairly serious eye condition, with symptoms ranging from very mild blurred vision to severe blurriness resulting in squinting, fatigue and headaches.

Astigmatism may occur in children and adults; it is fairly common and is not contagious. It is usually congenital - is present at birth - but can develop after an eye operation or an injury to the eye.

The two most common types of astigmatism are:

    ▪    Corneal astigmatism - the cornea has an irregular shape
    ▪    Lenticular astigmatism - the lens has an irregular shape

If you are having any issues with your eyes we recommend you get your eyes checked, it doesn't matter if you are not due for your full eye test we are always happy to help. Astigmatism is very common - experts say most of us are born with a degree of astigmatism. Most children who are born with astigmatism will not realize they have it until they have an eye test. Reading and concentrating at school may be affected if a child has undiagnosed astigmatism. Therefore, regular eye tests are important.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is http://specsdirect2u.co.uk/ where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell. Remember, eye examinations are free in Scotland, call us on 0141 554 8886 to either arrange a free home eye test or to come into one of our 4 Glasgow Optical Practices.

What Is A Lazy Eye?

A lazy eye refers to a visual disorder characterised by undeveloped vision in an otherwise normal and healthy eye.  A lazy eye is also known as Amblyopia and is caused by poor, or no transmission of visual images from the affected eye to the brain, this condition is best treated in childhood.

The name “lazy eye” is a strange name, as the eye or the person is not lazy. It is in fact caused by a developmental issue in the brain, where the area of the brain linked to the affected eye develops abnormally because of under-stimulation.

A lazy eye may go unnoticed for many years, as individuals rely on vision from their stronger eye.

A lazy eye is normally treated by forcing use of the under developed eye, using either a patch or otherwise temporarily disabling the healthy eye. This treatment is most effective in children under the age of 5, but has also been shown to benefit older children and adults.

We recommend having your eyes examined once every year, or two years.  Specsdirect2u can visit you in your home to examine your eyes, in addition we will bring with us various spectacles for you to choose from.  You can also book an appointment to get your eyes tested in any one of our 4 Optical Practices in Glasgow.  We are a family friendly Opticians, every shop has a Kids play area to keep your little ones distracted while you get your eyes checked out and if needed, select a pair of Glasses or Sunglasses

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is http://specsdirect2u.co.uk/ where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell. Remember, eye examinations are free in Scotland, call us on 0141 554 8886 to either arrange a free home eye test or to come into one of our 4 Glasgow Optical Practices.

Health Problems Your Optician Can See First

Health Problems Your Optician Can See First

 

An eye test can detect various health problems and is recommended every 1 to 2 years, below is a list of the many early noticeable conditions.

1. Diabetes: A routine eye exam can detect blood and other yellowish fluids seeping out of fragile and miniscule vessels in the retinas, referred to as Diabetic Retinopathy – the leading cause of blindness
2. Cancer: A routine eye exam can see changes in the structure of the eyes and unusual growths, including a rare form of cancer called Ocular Melanoma which develops within the cells that make pigmentation in the eye. Skin cancer can also be detected through an eye exam, as lesions called basal cell carcinomas can show up on the eyelid and can possibly spread to the brain through the eye.
3. Hypertension: A routine eye exam can show bleeding in new blood vessels in the eye and bends or kinks in the vessels which normally run straight to the retina, which may be signs of high blood pressure.
4. Autoimmune Disorders: A routine eye exam can detect an inflammation of the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye, which may be a sign of Lupus or other autoimmune disorders.
5. High Cholesterol: A routine eye exam can detect a yellow ring around the cornea, which can be an indicator of high cholesterol: putting you at risk for heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol can also be detected by a yellow plaque forming on the blood vessels of the retina.
6. Thyroid Disease: A routine eye exam can detect a bulging of the eyes, which is one of the symptoms of Grave’s Disease – a disorder characterized by an overactive thyroid.
7. Tumors: A visit to the eye doctor can reveal that you have droopy eyelids and pupils that aren’t the same size, which can point to tumors in the neck or even possible aneurysms.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is http://specsdirect2u.co.uk/ where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell. Remember, eye examinations are free in Scotland, call us on 0141 554 8886 to either arrange a free home eye test or to come into one of our 4 Glasgow Optical Practices.

A World Within The Eyes

Did you know that an optician can find a whole range of health issues, just by looking in to your eyes? this is why your yearly or 2 yearly free eye check is very important.

An optician can find warning signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, and a whole range of other systemic health issues, just by examining your eyes.

In this video Ophthalmologist Neal Adams explains why the eye's tissues and blood vessels make such a good barometer for wellness.

We loved this video and wanted to share it with you.

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/140408-eyes-health-vin?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_tw20140408video-eyes&utm_campaign=Content&sf2512347=1

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is http://specsdirect2u.co.uk/ where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell. Remember, eye examinations are free in Scotland, call us on 0141 554 8886 to either arrange a free home eye test or to come into one of our 4 Glasgow Optical Practices.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage of the optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye to carry visual information to the brain. If left untreated, most types of glaucoma progress with neither warning nor obvious symptoms to the patient towards gradually worsening visual damage and possible blindness.

What is Glaucoma?

Despite being the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, 90% of glaucoma cases could be prevented if diagnosed early enough. Regular eye exams are the best form of prevention against glaucoma!

It is difficult to detect glaucoma during a single eye examination because often it is change that reveals the presence of the disease.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. We hope you subscribe to this RSS Feed to enjoy all future blogs, and please connect with us using the social media buttons at the top of the screen. The main website is http://specsdirect2u.co.uk/ where you can see the full range of Designers that we sell. Remember, eye examinations are free in Scotland, call us on 0141 554 8886 to either arrange a free home eye test or to come into one of our 4 Glasgow Optical Practices.