Category: General

How to Treat Conjunctivitis​

Often referred to as pink eye, conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. This is the transparent, thin layer that covers the white of the eye and the inner eyelid. Conjunctivitis can be caused by several different things including bacteria, viruses, irritants or allergens. To treat conjunctivitis effectively, however, it is necessary to identify the cause. If you think that you have conjunctivitis it is a good idea to have a proper eye examination so that you can get the most effective treatment possible. 

Viral Conjunctivitis

This type of conjunctivitis is often linked to respiratory infections or colds and is caused by viruses such as adenovirus. The symptoms include redness, irritation, and a watery discharge. 

The treatment for this type of conjunctivitis includes:

• Applying cold compresses to soothe the irritation 

• Using artificial tears to keep the eyes moist

• Avoiding rubbing or touching the eyes to prevent infection spreading

Usually, this type of conjunctivitis will clear up on its own in 1-2 weeks. 

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, for example, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. The symptoms include redness and swelling and a thick green or yellow discharge. 

Treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis includes:

• Consulting a medical professional for antibiotic eye drops or an ointment

• Ensuring that the eyelids are kept clean. This is done using a warm, damp cloth to remove dry build-up 

• Avoiding sharing towels as this could spread it to other people

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Caused by allergens such as pollen, dust or pet dander, this type of conjunctivitis can more commonly occur in the summer months. The symptoms include watery, itchy eyes, swelling and redness. 

To treat allergic conjunctivitis, it is important to:

• Use antihistamine eye drops or an oral antihistamine

• Apply cool compresses to the area to reduce swelling

• Avoid allergens, keep windows closed during high pollen seasons and use air purifiers

Irritant Conjunctivitis

The cause of this conjunctivitis is exposure to chlorine, smoke, chemicals and other irritants. The symptoms are watery eyes, redness and discomfort. 

Treatment includes:

• Rinsing the eyes with clean, lukewarm water to remove irritants

• Avoiding further exposure to said irritant

• Using artificial tears to help calm the irritation

Managing Conjunctivitis – general tips

If you suspect you have conjunctivitis or have already been diagnosed with conjunctivitis, then you should ensure that you:

• Wash hands often

• Avoid touching your eyes

• Don’t wear contact lenses until the infection has cleared

• Wash towels and pillowcases to prevent reinfection 

• Don’t share things like makeup and towels with others

You should also seek medical attention if the conjunctivitis lasts for more than a week, or if you experience changes in vision, sensitivity to light or any severe pain. If you are a contact lens wearer and notice anything unusual, such as spots on the eyelids, you should see your optician immediately. 

Conjunctivitis is a common condition, and you can often manage it with a combination of simple treatments and good hygiene. It is important to identify the cause so you can follow the correct treatment path. If your symptoms do not reduce, or if they get worse, then it is important to seek further medical advice.

Understanding Eye Scans Like Optomap

Many eye disorders don’t reveal any symptoms including loss of vision. Today there are quite a few sophisticated tests and scans that can detect eye problems at an early stage.

One of the newest is the Optomap scan, which is the only one that can examine more than 80% of the retina and give a single panoramic image to allow the early detection of underlying eye diseases. This blog post explains the pros of an Optomap scan while also highlighting some alternatives.

Benefits of Optomap

Optomap scans are non-invasive and pain-free as they are done without the need for pupil dilation – in other words, nothing touches the eye. An image of the eye is taken using a very brief flash of light. Optomap can detect:

  • Cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma
  • Life-threatening diseases such as cancer of the eye, stroke and cardiovascular disease
  • Vision problems which mainly show up at night such as halos or starbursts
  • Early signs of retinal disease, to enable prompt treatment and prevent vision loss and complications

An Optomap scan can also be used to spot early signs of damage caused to the eye by diabetes. The NHS advises that anyone with diabetes should have eye screening every 2 years.

Disadvantages of Optomap

There are a few disadvantages to the Optomap scan. 

  • It cannot detect retinal bleeding caused by eye disease
  • Diabetics still need and additional eye screening every 2 years

As you can see the advantages of Optomap allow your eye care practitioner to detect any problems at an early stage to protect you against blindness or other vision impairment. It’s a very high-tech and advanced tool for the early detection of eye disease but there are several other options available for our optometrists to use.

OCT scan

OCT  is optical coherence tomography. This scan helps the practitioner to view the eye in detail by producing a 3D image of the different layers inside the eye. It is commonly used to detect:

  • Glaucoma
  • Detached retina
  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Macular hole
  • Diabetic retinopathy

Corneal topography

This computerised imaging generates a mapping image of the surface of the cornea to assess its shape and contour. It helps to diagnose conditions like astigmatism and keratoconus.

Topography is also used for planning of vision correction surgery and fitting contact lenses such as ortho-K.

Refraction

This test measures how light bends as it passes through the eye and is commonly used to assess vision and determine the correct prescription for spectacles if needed.

Visual field test

This is a very common test which assesses and monitors central and peripheral vision. It can provide information about the function of the retina and optic nerve to help detect certain eye conditions including glaucoma at the early stages.The wide range of tests available to our practitioners means that any problems can be found and treatment started early. If you are experiencing vision problems or just need a check up, contact us as soon as possible.

Preparing Your Eyes For The Summer: What Do You Need To Know?

Summer is synonymous with warm weather, sunshine, and plenty of time outdoors! Whilst the start of summer is fast approaching, it’s also important that you look after your eyes during this sunny season. We all know the importance of UV protection for your skin, but what about your eyes? Here at R Woodfall, we offer a range of services to help keep your eyes healthy and thriving this summer.

The importance of preparing your eyes for the sunny weather

Whether you’re jetting away to a sunny destination, or you’re planning on sunbathing outside here in the UK, you’re going to need to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. The following are some of the ways that UV rays can harm your eyes:

Photokeratitis: Often referred to as “sunburn of the eye,” this painful condition is caused by overexposure to UV rays in a short time period. This condition is temporary, and easily avoidable with sun protection!

Cataracts: Too much UV exposure has been thought to contribute to the development of this common eye condition.

Macular degeneration: Chronic UV exposure can contribute to the deterioration of the central part of the retina, leading to vision loss.

Given these risks, it’s important to make preparations to protect your eyes this summer. Especially if you plan to be outside in a hot climate! Keep reading to find out how to best protect your eyes from the sun.

The best ways to protect your eyes

Here at R Woodfall, we have a variety of services and products to help protect your eyes in time for summer.

Sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses is one of the best ways to protect your eyes, as they shield them away from the sun. At R Woodfall, our range of sunglasses can effectively protect your eyes, as well as provide comfort and style.

UV lens coatings: UV lens coatings are a great way to add an extra layer of protection against the sun.

Avoid looking at the sun: Of course, avoiding direct sunlight especially during the middle of the day is another effective method to prevent UV overexposure.

Visit your local optician

The ultimate way to prepare your eyes for the summer is to visit your local optician for care and guidance. An eye care professional can examine your eyes and check for any signs of sun damage or any other eye health concerns. You can then get the care and advice you need to best protect your eyes.

To book an appointment at one of our clinics, please contact our team.