What is Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is a common condition which causes the surface of your eye to go red and, often, sticky or watery and your eye becomes sore.

Types of Conjunctivitis:

Conjunctivitis can be caused by infection from bacteria, viruses or other organisms, and also by allergy or inflammation.

Viral conjunctivitis tends to cause a watery red eye and can last for two to three weeks even with the correct treatment. In most cases viral conjunctivitis does not affect your vision but rarely you might notice your vision becomes blurry or you may see glare when looking at lights. This is due to an inflammatory reaction causing small white dots on the cornea, the transparent window at the front of the eye. These usually fade with time, but it can take a few weeks or even months.  

Bacterial conjunctivitis is more likely to cause a red eye with a sticky yellow discharge.

I think I may have Conjunctivitis. What should I do?

There is no antiviral medication for viral conjunctivitis and it does not respond to antibiotic drops as it is not caused by bacteria. The best treatment for viral conjunctivitis is to use artificial tears and simple painkillers, with regular lid cleaning and cold compresses. The conjunctivitis disappears when your body becomes immune to the virus and fights the germs off, just as in a cold or flu. Very rarely, steroid drops are given for severe cases of viral conjunctivitis or when the cornea is affected.

Antibiotic drops can be helpful in cases of bacterial conjunctivitis and are often prescribed for a one or two-week course.  

Contact lenses should not be worn during any type of conjunctivitis.

Infection control:
Conjunctivitis is contagious and spreads very easily by water droplets (coughing, sneezing) or contact with tissues, flannels, towels, pillowcases and so on. For that reason, it’s really important to wash your hands frequently and dispose of tissues after use to prevent the condition from spreading to other family members or work colleagues.

In addition to proper hand hygiene, it's also important to avoid sharing personal items such as towels, pillowcases, and eye drops. If you have conjunctivitis, it's best to stay at home until the symptoms have subsided to avoid spreading the infection to others. Avoiding close contact with others, and avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes are also important to prevent the spread of infection. For people who wear contact lenses, it's essential to discard the lenses and switch to glasses until the infection is gone. After the infection is cleared, it's important to properly clean and disinfect the contact lenses and lens cases before reusing them.

What is Hayfever?

Hayfever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common allergy to pollen, dust or mould. It produces cold-like symptoms, such as a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, and itchiness.

What causes Hayfever?

Hayfever is caused by an allergic reaction to certain airborne allergens, such as pollen, mold, and dust mites. When these allergens come into contact with the lining of the nose and eyes, the immune system overreacts, releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation and symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

How does hay fever impact the eyes?

The classic sore eye associated with hayfever is called allergic conjunctivitis (to learn more about conjunctivitis, click here). This is an umbrella term for issues with the clear membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the eyelids. It can be rather unpleasant, but does not pose a risk to your vision. The itching sensation you feel is caused by pollen landing in the eye which leads to the release of histamine in turn irritating the nerve endings. The eyes become bloodshot because the blood vessels dilate and swell to fight off the irritant.

My vision is blurry!

Do not fear, this is very common. The blurriness you feel is associated with watery eyes. The tear ducts produce excess fluid to flush out the pollen, which can sometimes result in a thick gooey substance causing your vision to deteriorate temporarily. Try using a cold compress to ease the irritation, and if your symptoms persist book an appointment with us by following this link.

Will Hayfever go away?

From the start of Spring to the end of Summer hayfever sufferers will need to be extra vigilant. From late March until the middle of May, tree pollen peaks. From the middle of May until July, grass pollen peaks. And from the end of June until September, weed pollen is at its peak.

As 95% of hay ever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen, mid-May to July is the ‘peak time’ for hay ever. Unfortunately there is no cure, you just need to be extra vigilant and apply preventative measures. These include:

• Take over the counter antihistamines.

• Cut down on drinking alcohol during the summer months. It contains histamine, a chemical that promotes allergic reactions.

• Keep your eyelids clean with the lid wipes available at our practice.

• Take artificial tear drops to help flush out the pollen if your eyes are particularly irritated. You can find these at our practice too.

If you have any questions or concerns, call our practice to book an appointment by following the attached link.

This blog looks at how to put on and take off contact lenses, this can always be a struggle which is why we've put together this short simple guide!

   This week we are celebrating National Eye Health Week and as a result of that we want to give our patients/followers some tips on how to use screen time. Long periods of screen time with no breaks can really do some damage. The harmful blue light present in devices can be damaging for our eye health and bring serious complications along the way.  


So what can you do to minimize visual distress?
1. Use your glasses : If glasses were prescribed during your visit to the Optician and advised to be used on screen time, you should definitely listen to them. By wearing your glasses, your eyes will not struggle to see properly and will feel less stress;
2. Get Anti Reflection Coating : The anti-reflection coating protects our eyes from the damaging blue light and also reflects the glare from all artificial lights. This makes your vision look sharper as there is no glare staying on the lenses;
3. Make sure to take frequent breaks : Use the rule of 20-20-20 - Look away from your device every 20 minutes for 20 seconds on something 20 feet away. This will help your eyes to rest from continues concentration on the device you are looking at;
4. Customise you screen settings : Make sure the light is not to bright as that will tire your eyes quicker. The monitor should be at an arm length away and should be positioned at eye level. Always select a font size of 12pts or above, anything that feels comfortable at that distance so you don't feel your eyes trying to squint to see better;
5. Keep blinking : Even if we don't notice, our blink rate can fall by 60% when we are concentrating on monitors. Shutting your eyes for a few seconds and rolling your eyeballs around with them still closed can give you some instant refresh;
6. Stay hydrated ! Dehydration can increase symptoms of screen fatigue, so make sure to always have your water handy;
7. Regular Eye Examination s - Last but not least, make sure to follow the recall for your eye tests according to your opticians. Anyone >16 years old should have their eyes tested every 2 years, unless your Optician advises you otherwise.

      So if you are having any trouble with your vision, if you are due for an eye examination or if you never had one before, why not contact us and get that booked? Our team would be delighted to see you. You can find our contacts below:

Dagenham
dagenham@careoptics.co.uk
0208 592 6060

Woodford
woodford@careoptics.co.uk
0203 551 6075

Remember - At Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care

Evidence shows that Myopia is growing around the world, with a recent study estimating that on average, 30% of the world is currently myopic and by 2050, almost 50% will be myopic.

     Like your sight, hearing is one of your keys senses and important to your quality and enjoyment of life. Hearing loss can be a daunting experience and can leave you feeling isolated and frustrated. So Care Optics has partnered up with BLOOM Hearing Specialists to provide a new Hearing Service to help you choose the best solution for your hearing loss so that you can live your life to the fullest. BLOOM takes pride in providing a excellent hearing healthcare service, and has a dedicated team of experts who will work with you through each stage of the process to make sure that you take back that control of your hearing - and your life.

How can BLOOM help you?
BLOOM offer a range of hearing aid styles and technologies and from your first appointment to your ongoing aftercare, BLOOM specialists will deliver the best service according to your needs to make sure you are happy and comfortable with the experience.

The Hearing Test
BLOOM Hearing Specialists will complete a series of tests to ensure they have the most accurate results possible. Tuning fork tests establish the type of loss & free field audiometry establishes the effects of high or low frequency loss. Word lists help to understand the effect of loss on your ability to communicate through speech. Finally, audiometry produces a definitive graph from which they can analyse the programming required for any hearing system to give the optimum results. 

The audiologist will talk to you about your type of hearing loss and what is likely to have caused it. They will also talk to you about the degree of hearing loss, which can range from:

• normal
• mild
• moderate
• severe
• profound

These are clinical terms used by audiologists, and they are based on the outcomes recorded in your audiogram. You might not feel like they reflect your experience of your hearing. Some people find the results surprising, since they feel like they can hear better or worse than the results suggest. This is quite common. The audiologist will also talk to you about the best way to manage your hearing loss, which for most people, the recommendation will be hearing aids. If you do decide to try hearing aids, your audiologist will explain what’s available and the next steps. They might take an impression of your ear during the appointment. This process is painless and involves the audiologist placing some putty-like material inside your ear for a couple of minutes. This is so they can make a custom ear mould.

Questionnaire

Not sure if you need a hearing test? Simply answer this questions below:

1. Is it difficult hearing over the phone?
2.  Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?
3. Do people say you have the TV up too loud?
4. Are you straining to follow conversations in noisy background, such as restaurants?
5. Do you experience dizziness, pain or ringing in your ears?
6. Do you ask people to repeat themselves?
7. Do you think that people often mumble or don't speak clearly?
8. Are you misunderstanding what is being said and responding inappropriately?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, we would recommend you to contact us and arrange a hearing test! You can do that over email or phone, and choose what branch will be more suitable for you:

Care Optics Woodford Care Optics Dagenham

- 02035516075            - 02085926060

- woodford@careoptics.co.uk        - dagenham@careoptics.co.uk

     Blepharitis is an inflammation of the oil glands present in your eyelids, and it's a common condition that is usually easily treated. If left untreated though, it might lead to more serious complications like cysts or conjunctivitis.
     Usually the GP or your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist would be able to diagnose it by using a magnifying device to look at the edges of your eyelids and how the glands look like, by checking if the eyes are producing enough tears & by checking the texture and how healthy is the skin surrounding your eyes.

Symptoms
Symptoms usually include:
     - Sore Eyelids;
     - Dry eyes;
     - Itchy Eyes;
     - Gritty feeling;
     - Red eyes;
     - Watery eyes;
     - Blurry vision;
     - Sensitivity to bright lights;
     - Red and/or swollen eyelids;
     - Presence of flakes/crusts around the roots of your eyelashes;
     - Sticky eyelashes - specially in the morning when you wake up. 

Causes:
     - Skin conditions (like seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea or eczema);
     - Excess of bacteria;
     - Hormone problems/hormonal imbalance;
     - Blocked eyelid oil glands;
     - Allergies;
     - Viral infections;
     - Mites (insect-like organisms, which can cause irritation to humans).

Treatment:
     - Artificial tears for red, itchy, gritty or dry eyes;
     - Special wipes to clean the eyelids;
     - Warm flannels to soften and clean the crust as well as to help with the swollen eyelids;
     - Medication in some cases.

Prevention:
Unfortunately there is cure for Blepharitis, but you will be able to manage and treat it easily. If you follow a daily hygiene routine that should be enough to control the symptoms. That routine should include:
     - Removing all make-up before bed; 
     - Making sure to clean your eyelids everyday before you go to bed, even if you don't wear any makeup;
     - Be careful when applying any night moisturizers or gels, do not apply it close to your eyelids; 
     - Using specific eyelid wipes that you can get from your local Optician to regularly clean your eyelids properly.

Complications:
     That are some complications that may occur in some cases like loss of eyelashes, clogged glands that might lead to a stye or a chalazion & scarring on your eyelids. When that happens you should let your GP or your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist know as soon as possible.


     In case you are experiencing any of these symptoms or if you suffer from Blepharitis, please do not wear any contact lenses (while you have symptoms) and don't use any make-up, specially eyeliner! If you have any symptoms of Blepharitis, please make sure to book a Minor Eye Condition Service with your local Optician... you can even do it with us if your GP is in the area! So if you have any queries regarding this condition or if you want to book an appointment, please contact us. You will be more than happy to arrange a time for you.

     Keep in Mind:
                                  Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care!

     Also known as "Surfer's Eye", Pterygium is an elevated, wedged-shaped growth from the lining of the eyelid onto the cornea. Although is benign, the growth itself can permanently disfigure the eye, reduce significantly the eyesight or even cause blindness. It became known as "Surfer's eye" because it is usually a consequence of being exposed to bright sun for long hours, specially by the water or snow - which reflects the UV rays to your eyes. 

Causes
     As written above, UV exposure seems to be one of the main reasons for Pterygium development, but wind and dust can also cause it as this leads to Dry Eye Disease, which by consequence will lead to this condition. Genetics may also play an important part, as some people seem to be more at risk than others.

Signs & Symptoms
     Pterygium usually appears on the side of your eye that is closest to the nose, but it can also appear on the other sometimes. It is common to have it in one eye only, although sometimes it may appear on both eyes.
     There are people who don't experience any symptoms or require treatment in the beginning, but as the growth develops, there can be redness,  gritty, itchy or burning sensation, the eyes can become irritated and even swollen.
      When the Pterygium starts to invade the cornea, it distorts the shape of the front of the eye, causing  the curve of the cornea to change, leading then to refractive errors (Astigmatism in most cases).

Treatment
    The treatment depends on the size of the Pterygium itself. If it's just a small growth, your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist can advise the patient on lubricants (eye drops or gels) to temporary reduce symptoms like redness, swelling, itchy or gritty felling.  
      If the Pterygium is more advanced, the only option is then surgery.

How to avoid it
     As previously said, UV radiation and exposure seems to be one of the main reason leading to Pterygium. For that you have the perfect solution that is available for everyone - sunglasses . A good pair of sunglasses will filter the UV rays, giving you a sharper vision but also protecting you from conditions like Pterygium, Cataracts, Glaucoma, etc. Make sure to buy your sunglasses from a Optician instead of a shop non-related to eye care. A good pair of sunglasses should have UVA, UVB and UVC protection, and usually those shops will only have one of those protections - or even none.

     We remind you that if you have any of these symptoms or any other, if you need to book an appointment or if you have any queries, please contact us over phone or email. We will be very happy to help you.

Keep in mind: At Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care 

     Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience for a woman, but it's still a taboo to talk about all the side affects that come with it. The nausea and sickness, the lower back pain, sore ankles and heavy legs are not all that you might experience during this period... your eyesight will probably change too. Like most of the hormonal and physical changes, these issues related to vision are usually minor and temporary, and your vision should return to normal after your baby is born or after the baby has stopped breastfeeding.  The most common eye changes during pregnancy are:

     Pigmentary Changes
     - Often the skin of a pregnant woman may experience pigmentary changes that can also affect the eyelids - temporary increase in pigmentation or increasing in existing pigmentation (Conjunctival Naevus). Though this affects almost 90% of pregnant women, it is reversible and generally only requires observation during this period.

     Blurred Vision
     - Some pregnant women notice mild changes in their vision and often think this might be associated with a change in prescription. This happens as during pregnancy many women retain fluids, which often affects the fluid present in your eyes, affecting the shape and thickness of your cornea, therefore leading to visual distortion. Not to worry, make sure your optometrist monitors these changes and your vision should be back to normal after delivering or once your baby stops breastfeeding. 

     Dry Eyes
     - Hormonal changes can affect the quality and structure of the tear film, leading to dry eye syndrome. This occurs because the lubricant tears present in the upper and lower eyelid margins have less oil to keep the eyes moist. The usual symptoms for dry eye include excessing tearing, intermittent blurred vision and a gritty or burning sensation, which can be treated with artificial tears and soothing warm compresses. Your Optician would be able to advise the best drops according to your symptoms. 

Pre-eclampsia
     - One of the things you really need to look out for during pregnancy is  your blood pressure. An increase in your blood pressure can lead to pre-eclampsia which requires treatment. The symptoms to look out for in this case are blurred vision, temporary loss of vision, light sensitivity and presence of auras, flashes and/or floaters in your vision. In case you experience any of these symptoms you need to seek advice from your GP or Optometrist promptly.

Diabetes
     - When you have diabetes, high levels of sugar in your blood can cause some damaging in the small vessels present in your eyes(Diabetic Retinopathy)and the chances of that happening grow as the pregnancy progresses. It is important to monitor closely the diabetes throughout your pregnancy to make sure that it doesn't affect other areas, such as your eyes. Pregnant women who never had diabetes before can experience Gestational Diabetes during the pregnancy. It is important even for these patients to keep a close look for any changes in their vision and to report them to their Optometrist.


     If you are expecting and experiencing any of the symptoms above, make sure to book an appointment with your Optometrist. At Care Optics we are open as normal and taking new patients, so if you need your eyes tested or know someone who does, make sure to phone or email us and we will be more than happy to arrange that appointment for you. 

     Keep in mind: At Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care