Tuesday 5 February 2013

Eyes...

It is certainly chilly today although I believe tomorrow will be worse once the wind switches over to coming from the North.

Went for an eye check today as I feel the need to keep cleaning my glasses so was worried something had changed in my left eye. It has a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in progress (the jelly in my eye is thinning and the eye ball is ever so slightly coming away at the back).

I also had to inform them that we have newly diagnosed glaucoma in the family so now I need yearly check ups and they are free.

Anyway, a good look entailed including eye drops to expand my pupils – all is well. I didn't need a digital photograph of my eyes as that is done at the hospital but decided to pay the £10 and have them done. That way, the optician's (whom I have always used) have a visual record of what is actually going on and can compare things on each visit.

Luckily, nothing has changed except I have a huge floater in my left eye which they think is what is causing the very slight but noticeable blurred vision.

When the PVD first started the floaters were very apparent but you learn to live with them. However if you get a big one it might (and has) slightly affected the vision even though I can't actually see the floater itself.

Ah well, such is life, no doubt all part and parcel of the ageing process.

Have you had your eyes checked recently? Don't skip it as they can pick up glaucoma, high blood pressure and diabetes amongst other problems that you may not be aware of.

9 comments:

  1. I have the same eye condition you have...while it is not fun, it is reassuring to know it is not that uncommon...I am told that the next thing is an injection in the eye, which somewhat freaks me out..
    Best of luck with it...

    ReplyDelete
  2. True and it definitely seems to be age related. Doesn't sound so good does it, an injection in the eye, lets hope it doesn't get that far!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So important to maintain good eye health. I would also suggest everyone has blood pressure and diabetes and cholesterol screening regularly after a certain age; I think it is important to be pro-active about this and not wait until it is picked up at some other exam.
    I ve had floaters but they seem to go away after a while....................... I buy my reading glasses at the dollar store; my eye doctor says that is perfectly fine and I dont need glasses for driving or tv yet although I think the day is fast approaching.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is certainly amazing which conditions can be picked up by something 'as simple' as an eye test. At our doctors surgery, we have a well woman check every two years or so, am due one this April. Mind you, our local chemist does the above checks as well so might go there beforehand. I also buy the cheap glasses as the vision in each eye is the same.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for your good wishes for my eye op yesterday, it went well thanks and I've now got two black eyes as a result. This is hopefully the end of it although my consultant seems to think I now have a swelling at the end of my optic nerve. They are checking for diabetes and high blood pressure etc and as you say so much can be diagnosed through your eyes. My original eye surgery was a vitrectomy and repair for a macular hole in my retina. The first op didn't work so had another one. Then a year later the second eye developed the same condition. Both eyes then had to have cataract ops as this was a result of the macular hole surgery. Eyes are so precious and people really should look after them. Hopefully your PVD is stable now and won't cause you problems. Take care.
    Patricia x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For some reason Patricia, your comment ended up in my spam box! Glad it went well and that you recover okay.

      Delete
  6. My Mum had a similar problem a few years ago, luckily hers settled down and she hasn't had any problems since. I had an injection in my eye before my first lot of cataract surgery but as my eye had been numbed all I could feel was some pressure and then a dragging sensation as the eye was immobilised. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I'd imagined.I wish my prescription was the same in both eyes but different surgeons at different hospitals did the cataract ops, so I am +3 in one eye and +3.5 in the other. I'm overdue for an eye test but there is an independent optician nearby which has been here for donkey's years and tests are only 5 pounds there. I'm thinking of trying it rather than going to the high street big chain one where I usually go and the tests cost 4 times that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't think I am going to need an injection, apparently it is quite rare here to have them. They are just concerned as the flashing is still very much ongoing and should have died down by now (14 months). I should give the independent optician a go if I were you. I have always paid £19.50 but today had a free voucher and after today, due to a close relation with newly diagnosed glaucoma, my tests will be free.

      Delete
  7. My dad has glaucoma and I really need to make an eye test appointment.I havent been for two years.

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you, will read all your comments and try and answer any questions you leave. Please leave comments in English. Don't forget to come back and read my reply! All comments are moderated so if you try to link it to a commercial web site, it will not be published.