What are cataracts? Cataracts are formed when the clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy or misty. This is a gradual process that usually happens as we get older. It does not hurt. The early stages of a cataract do not necessarily affect your sight, but if your sight becomes…
Types of contact lenses Soft lenses There are nearly four million contact lens wearers in the UK, and most of them wear soft lenses. They are suitable for almost anyone who wants to wear lenses. These are available as single-use daily, fortnightly and monthly disposable lenses, and more specialist lenses…
Glasses lenses Single-vision lensesSingle vision lenses are the simplest form of lens. Concave lenses are used to correct short sight and convex lenses to correct long sight. Concave lenses are thinner in the centre than they are at the edge and convex lenses are thinner at the edge than in…
Visual field tests When you look at something you not only see the object you are looking at, but you can see all around it. The area that you can see – without moving your head or eye – is called your visual field. In each eye it extends from…
Television presenter Claudia Winkleman has spoken candidly about her lifelong struggle with a chronic eye condition, revealing she has “never really” been able to see her own face in the mirror. The 53-year-old Traitors host, who was awarded an MBE by King Charles earlier this year, said she was born…
If you’re a regular viewer of EastEnders, you’ll know that Lauren and Peter’s baby, Jimmy, was recently diagnosed as severely sight impaired. Lauren first noticed something was wrong when Jimmy struggled to focus while breastfeeding. Worried, she took him to the hospital, where doctors confirmed her fears—Jimmy was visually impaired….
The College of Optometrists is urging parents to consider beginning sight tests for their children before school age. This is especially important if there is a family history of eye problems or needing glasses with a strong prescription. A recent survey, commissioned by the College, the professional body for optometry…
Former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has recently opened up about his son James’ eye condition which has sadly stopped him playing football. Stargardt disease is a rare, inherited, genetic eye condition affecting approximately 1 in 9000 people and usually develops before people reach the age of 20. It…
A new research survey, commissioned by The College of Optometrists, has revealed the concerning number of drivers who require glasses to drive on the roads, but drive without them. Driving without glasses 60% of UK drivers have been advised to wear glasses while driving, but nearly a quarter of these…
You may have seen the news story about BBC Wales newsreader, Lucy Owen, who was found to have a retinal detachment after visiting her optometrist for a sight test. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina at the back of the eye separates from its normal position and, like in…
