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Professional eyecare, personal service |
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© Radyr Eyecare 2010 All Rights Reserved |
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Optegwyr Radyr/Radyr Eyecare 14 Station Road, Radyr, Cardiff, CF15 8AA (( 029) 2084 2255
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Eyesight as we get older... |
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As we get older our eyesight inevitably deteriorates—and this happens in three main ways: ‘Presbyopia’ This is the technical term for something that everyone over 40 begins to experience—that feeling that you have to hold anything you want to read further and further away. (If you have always been short sighted then you may find you start taking your spectacles off to read.) This is because the actual lens in your eye becomes less flexible, and unable to focus on close objects. Fortunately, as well as being one of the commonest conditions, it is usually the easiest to resolve as well. For most patients a simple pair of spectacles that you use just occasionally, for example when you need to do close work or read a newspaper, will be sufficient. As time progresses, and you find yourself reaching for them more and more, it may be a good idea to consider either bifocals or, better still, ‘varifocals.’ These are spectacle lenses that can correct both your distance and your near vision, so that you can comfortably wear them all day. And, if you don’t like the idea of wearing spectacles, nowadays you can consider contact lenses as well—click here for more details. Cataracts As we get older still, many of us will develop ‘cataracts’. These are formed when the lens of the eye becomes more crystalline and opaque. Although patients often aren’t aware how much their eyesight has deteriorated, an eye examination will pick these up very quickly, and treatment is readily available, painless, and usually highly effective. Macular Degeneration This is when the image processing part at the back of the eye—the macular—begins to degenerate, such that it is no longer capable of processing images. Sadly this is currently an irreversible process; some treatments are available which appear to delay the progress of the disease, and some low vision aids are available from practice, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, when appropriate. (See here for further details) It’s worth noting that the risk of developing macular degeneration can be reduced by following a healthy life style—regular exercise, a suitable diet , moderate alcohol consumption and, inevitably, no smoking. Certain vitamin supplements e.g. Macushield have also been shown to help and we can provide advice on these at the practice. |