The menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman’s oestrogen levels decline. These changing levels of hormones have many effects on the body and everyday life, including hot flushes, exhaustion, weight gain and concentration loss. They can also affect your eyes and vision. Reduced levels…
11 October 2019 Souleyman Bah, a contestant in The Apprentice has a rare eye condition called RP. Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, Clinical Adviser to the College of Optometrists provides the below information about the condition: Like many people affected by visual impairment Souleyman Bah shows that life goes on and with determination…
BBC, 3 September 2019 You may have read a recent BBC News article (3 September 2019) highlighting the case of a teenager diagnosed with a condition called nutritional optic neuropathy, resulting in sight loss. Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom, Clinical Adviser at The College of Optometrists explains “Nutritional optic neuropathy is a…
Contact lenses and prescription glasses are probably never more important than at festivals like Glastonbury, when you may find yourself at the very back of a crowd and straining to see the act on stage. But a long stint camping in a field isn’t exactly the best environment in which…
Mirror, 27 June 2019 You may have read a recent article highlighting parents concern for their children’s eyesight at school. The Mirror article discussed a study developed to raise awareness amongst parents on the importance of their child wearing sunglasses not just on holiday, but during the midday and afternoon…
What is herpes simplex keratitis? Herpes simplex is a very common virus which may remain inactive in your nervous system for many years. It causes no symptoms until some factor, such as poor health, disturbance of your immune system, or certain drugs cause the virus to become active and travel…
What is uveitis? The uvea is the coloured part of your eye, which lies beneath the white part of your eye (the sclera). The uvea comprises: the iris – which gives your eye its colour the ciliary body – controls your focussing and produces the clear fluid that fills the…
What is visual disturbance? Visual disturbance is when you experience a short spell of flashing or shimmering of light in your sight. The symptoms normally last around twenty minutes before your sight returns to normal. Usually, there is no headache during the visual disturbance. A visual disturbance should not be…
25 March 2019 The hay fever season has arrived earlier than usual this year and The College of Optometrists is advising sufferers to treat their allergy, before their symptoms arise, to minimise the effects. To help identify when you might expect to experience symptoms of hay fever, The College of…
What is low vision? Low vision is when – even with glasses or contact lenses – you are unable to see in sufficient detail to enable you to easily perform daily activities. If you have severe low vision, you may be eligible to be certified as having visual impairment (partially…
