Author: Christine Ferguson

Sometimes when viewing the optic nerve, it doesn’t look defined with nice, healthy neural retinal rims.   There is not always a need to panic in these situations.  Optic nerve anomalies can be harmless or they may significantly affect the vision.  This article aims to summarise the main anomalies and diseases of the optic nerve. …

A retinal detachment is defined as the separation of the sensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium by subretinal fluid (J.J, Kanski).   This article aims to explain the risk factors, causes, symptoms and treatment of a retinal detachment. Symptoms As Optometrists, we all know that when a patient presents with flashes, floaters or a …

Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the definition for  damage caused at the macular.  The macular is located in the central area of the retina and is responsible for detailed vision.  Therefore, damage to this area can cause profound vision loss and significantly affect a person’s quality of life.   Age is the main risk …

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a term to describe retinal damage which may or may cause visual loss and occurs as a result of Diabetes. The treatment of DR varies depending on the severity of retinopathy and whether or not the macular is involved. Background DR             Mild background DR requires no …

Diabetic retinopathy is a term used to describe retinal damage that results from diabetes. The condition may result in visual loss. Around 20% of patients with newly diagnosed diabetes show some signs of retinopathy. However, the longer the patient has diabetes, the higher the chance of developing retinopathy. How does it happen? Patients with diabetes …

Depending on which part of the UK you are testing there are different quality assured testing schemes.  According to the College Of Optometrists, if you are not officially certified with your local Diabetic Eye Screening scheme,  you can not use the term ‘Diabetic Screening’ when assessing your patients.  If a patient is not part of …

Spherical  Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Manufacturer: Bausch and Lomb These lenses have recently been launched.   Currently they are only available in the US.  They claim to be the most comfortable MONTHLY reusable contact lens on the market.  I am not going to comment until I have had more experience with the lens but the …

Daily disposable lenses are always evolving.  As a patient it can be hard to know which contact lens to choose without trying them all out.  It’s also difficult for a newly qualified Optometrist to know which lens to choose for a patient.  I have put together this list of my preferred daily spherical, toric and …

Daily disposable contact lenses are single-use lenses which are thrown away at the end of each day.  Each lens is stored in a saline based solution and it is therefore sterile, clean and deposit free. Advantages of daily disposable contact lenses: Convenience Whether you are only an occasional lens user or you are travelling and …

Coloured contact lenses can create a variety of looks on the eye. They range from being very subtle whereby they just enhance the natural eye colour, to creating very dramatic eye colour changes or even designs for a special occasion like halloween or a fancy dress party. Working in practice I often get asked about …