Eye Conditions

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) usually affects people over 60, but can occur earlier. It is the most common cause of sight loss in the developed world.

There are two types of AMD:

Dry AMD causes a gradual deterioration of the macula (the central part of your retina), as the retinal cells die off and are not regenerated. This usually occurs over many years. Around 10 to 15% of people with dry AMD go on to develop wet AMD.

Wet AMD causes abnormal blood vessels to grow into the macula and leak blood or fluid. This leads to scarring of the macula and rapid loss of central vision.

You should see your optometrist immediately if you notice a distortion or “bend” in your vision or your vision become blurry with gaps or dark spots.

Cataracts cause the lens in the eye to become misty or cloudy over time. Cataracts are a very common condition and in many cases a straightforward operation can remove the misty lens.

Cataracts usually develop slowly. In most cases, people will develop the condition in both eyes, although one may be affected sooner than the other. If your sight becomes misty and unclear or you feel something is “not quite right” in your eye then seek help.

Surgery for cataracts is commonplace. It involves removal of the ‘misty’ lens and replacement with an artificial lens implant. Cataract surgery can be performed at any time and is available free of charge on the NHS.

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve as a result of increased pressure in the eye or weakness in the nerve. The sight loss caused by glaucoma is permanent, and while treatment can’t restore any sight loss, it can prevent it from happening. Glaucoma has very few if any symptoms, so it is very important to have your eyes checked regularly.

Glaucoma affects vision at the side (peripheral vision) first.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a diverse group of inherited eye disorders. These eye conditions affect a part of your eye called the retina.

RP causes permanent changes to your vision, but how much and how quickly can vary greatly from person to person. These retinal changes can affect your side vision, which makes it harder for you to see in dim light or the dark, and central vision, which causes difficulty with detailed activities such as reading or watching television.

If you have RP, sight loss is gradual and usually progresses over a period of many years. Some people with RP might become blind but most people with RP keep some useful vision well into old age. Currently, there is no known cure or treatment for RP or associated retinal disorders. Many research groups around the world are working on different aspects of the condition with the aim of developing treatments.