Optical Treatments in Spain

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eye test chart

Nowadays a lot of people undergo eye laser surgery to correct any vision impairments they might have.  It is important to protect your eyes in the best way and also undergo regular eye tests so that any problems can be identified and treated in the early stages

The most common difficulties people experience when their vision is impaired include

  • Judging the position and depth of steps
  • Reading standard size print
  • Seeing the time on their watch
  • Using the telephone
  • Identifying money
  • Carrying out routine tasks at home like writing a shopping list
  • Crossing the road and recognising faces
Some of the most common eye conditions are macular degeneration, glaucoma, detached retina and cataracts. Different eye conditions create very different difficulties and very few people are totally blind. Some only have perception of light:  some have a loss of vision in the centre of the eye and others have no side vision. Some see everything as a blur while others have blank spots. Some people with sight loss can see to read but may have difficulty with night vision.

Macular degeneration causes a loss of vision in the centre of the eye so that reading, writing and up-close work becomes difficult, and sometimes there is a problem in recognising colours. It is a more common cause of sight loss among older people.

Glaucoma causes a loss of side vision and a subtle loss of contrast causing difficulties with seeing steps or the kerb.  Advanced glaucoma can make moving around difficult, especially at night and side vision is lost (tunnel vision). Early symptoms of glaucoma are not obvious and routine eye examinations are important for early detection. You are more at risk of developing glaucoma if a member of your family has this condition, if you are shortsighted or if you are of African or Asian origin.

A detached retina will result in a loss of vision. Detached retina may appear like a dark shadow over part of the eye or the person may experience bright flashes of light or showers of dark spots called floaters. These symptoms are not painful and most people experience them at some time, but if they seem to be getting worse and vision is reducing then the person needs to see an eye specialist urgently. Retinal detachment is more common among middle aged people and short sighted people and in many cases the damage can be repaired.   

A cataract is a clouding of the lens and vision blurs or becomes dim because light cannot pass through the clouded lens to the back of the eye. Cataracts over the eyes make things look blurred and misty and can cause double vision. As a cataract develops its centre becomes yellow giving everything a yellowish tinge. Colours may become dulled and the person may not be able to see detail. Bright light or very sunny days can dazzle while too little light can make it difficult to see.

Many people have some cataract development in later life and most cases can be treated successfully with surgery. Cataracts can also be present at birth or develop shortly afterwards.