Maintain Your Vision

Visit Our Optometrist in Bognor Regis, West Sussex

Your sight is incredibly important, so don’t take it for granted! Based in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, our optometrists are specialists in their industry, and they are always happy to help you. From choosing a set of spectacles to diagnosing an eye condition, our team ensure that you are treated with care. There’s a multitude of eye conditions that may affect you throughout your life, and we have listed them here for your convenience.

DRY EYE

GlAUCOMA

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a condition in which the edges of the eyelids become red, swollen, and inflamed. It’s a long-term condition, but there are a range ongoing treatments available. If you have sore eyelids, call us at Barnham Opticians and book an appointment. Our optometrist works out the cause of the problem and recommends the best treatment for you.

This condition doesn’t normally cause serious damage to the eyes. It can be very uncomfortable however, so it’s best to get treatment when you can. Severe cases do have a risk of long-term damage, but these are quite rare.

Cataracts

A cataract appears when the lens within your eye becomes cloudy. It affects all the lens or just part of it. There are different types of cataract, but the most common is age-related cataract, which is more common in older people. It is likely to be found to some degree in almost all people over 65.

Cataracts often causes your vision to become misty and less clear. You may notice that you’re easily dazzled by vehicle headlights, or that objects appear less colourful.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is caused by an infection from bacteria, viruses, or other organisms. Allergy and inflammation may also cause it. It’s an extremely common condition that causes redness and inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that covers the front of the eye (the conjunctiva). View the below for more details.

Viral Conjunctivitis – A viral infection tends to cause a watery red eye that lasts for 2-3 weeks. In most cases, viral conjunctivitis does not affect your vision, but it may often become blurry. You may also see a glare when you look at lights.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis – This is more likely to cause a red eye with a sticky yellow discharge.

Diabetes

Leaky or blocked blood vessels in the retina are often a result of diabetes. As time passes, this causes sight loss. Unfortunately, diabetic eye disease is the most common complication of diabetes, and it affects many people throughout the UK. This makes a retinal eye screening test extremely important!

PLEASE NOTE: A retinal eye screening test is not a replacement for an eye test at the opticians. There are many other serious eye and health conditions that an optician may discover through an eye test. At Barnham Opticians, we provide comprehensive eye tests that help to prevent further issues.

Diabetes – The Importance of a Regular Eye Test

“I have created this Q&A document to help people understand the importance of regular eye tests and screening. It is something close to me, as my husband has type 2 diabetes.” – Mandy Corbett FBDO, Owner and Dispensing Optician.

The Importance of a Regular Eye Test

Dry Eye

People with dry eye struggle to create normal (lubricating) tears. The ones that they do create may be of poor quality. This causes the tears to dry up too quickly, which makes the front of the eye dry and irritated. Please view the below document for more details:

Flashes and Floaters

Tiny spots, lines, flashes, or shapes in your vision are known as flashes and floaters. Lots of people experience them and they usually aren’t cause for alarm. Please read the attached document for further information, and don’t hesitate to contact us with your concerns.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions which damage the optic nerve at the back of the eye. It is often linked with raised pressure within the eye, although the eye pressure can sometimes be normal. When the nerve is damaged, it starts to cause problems with the peripheral vision (side vision). This often results in permanent damage if it is left untreated.

With early treatment, further damage to vision can be prevented. The condition often happens in both eyes, although sometimes it affects one eye more than the other. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of severe sight impairment.

Macular Degeneration

AMD is a condition that affects the central part of the vision. It is caused by damage to the macular region of the eye, which is the part of the retina that provides your detailed vision. It doesn’t normally affect your peripheral (side) vision, so while objects in the centre of your vision may become difficult to see, the vision to the side and edges should not be affected.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in the UK affecting older people. So, it’s important that any sudden changes to your vision are urgently checked by an optometrist.

Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a type of eye cancer that affects young children, mainly those under the age of six. It develops in the cells of the retina, the light sensitive lining of the eye. Around 50-60 cases are diagnosed in the UK every year – approximately one child a week. Retinoblastoma either affects one or both eyes.

Retinoblastoma has one of the best cure rates of all the childhood cancers. In the UK, around 98 per cent of children will survive, but an early diagnosis is important. If you see one or more of the signs of retinoblastoma, be sure to get your child’s eyes checked urgently. It’s always better to be safe. Please read the document below for more details. You can also visit https://chect.org.uk/ to find out more.

What is Retinoblastoma?

For information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and support, please read the below document:

Information on Retinoblastoma

Food and Eye Health

There is evidence to show that a healthy diet prevents the development of eye conditions, although this link isn’t as strong as it is for other conditions, such as heart disease. However, eating a healthy balanced diet that’s rich in fruit and vegetables may help to keep your eyes as healthy as possible.

Please view the below document for further information about the benefits of healthy eating.

Information on Food and Eye Health

Contact our friendly team, in Bognor Regis, West Sussex on 01243 554091, to find out more about your eye health. As your local opticians, we’re always happy to help you and your needs.