HoneyPots
member
Reged: 06/10/2008
Posts: 3
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I am always trying to encourage my friends to go to the opticians regularly because I know how important it is and I'm surprised not to find an eye health section on here! Hopefully this post can go a little way to changing that.
I work for RNIB (Royal National Institute for Blind People) and hear some pretty scary statistics at work, the latest being that you can lose up to 40% of your eyesight without realising it. Conditions like glaucoma have no symptoms but cause such sight-loss.
It's such a scary idea that you could lose so much of something so integral without even knowing!! It would be so simple to spot as well with a quick trip to the optician who would be able to ensure your eyes are as healthy as you think they are. They can also answer any questions you might have, or you can look at the RNIB website for more information, http://www.rnib.org.uk/happyeyes
Do pass the word on!
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Linby
member
Reged: 30/07/2008
Posts: 798
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Hi Honey I have been to my optition today for my Eyes testing I wear contacts and also have regular aftercare tests But today was my full test. everything is ok. I agree that our eyes are so precious.
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Linby
member
Reged: 30/07/2008
Posts: 798
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Ps spot the spelling mistake
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dec
member
Reged: 29/01/2008
Posts: 672
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Yes,so agree.I made an appointment for my husband to get his tested today.Fortunately everything is fine.It's so easy to ignore having a test if you don't wear spectacles but everyone needs to be checked regularly.
My friend has just had an eye removed because of cancer.She did have tests and has been receiving treatment for years before her eye had to be removed.Regular tests meant it was recognised early and hopefully has stopped the cancer spreading to other parts of her body.
Dec
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LadyGodiva
member
Reged: 19/09/2006
Posts: 292
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Honey,
you are so right thank you for highlighting this. My mother lost 50% of her sight over the course of months last year without realising it. It has resulted in the most devasting life change for her especially as she lives alone. But, beware the unscrupulous optician hers sold her driving glasses when the Opthalmologist diagnosed her unfit to drive!!! after a protracted dispute we did get a refund but how many people does this happen to I wonder at a time in their lives when they are least equiped to deal with it
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3066
Loc: Surrey
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I am 57 and have never had an eye test. I read without glasses except in a poor light where I use some bought reading glasses, number 1. I have avoided opticians because I keep thinking they will try to sell me glasses, but I take the point that I should be checking my eye health.
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Mayday
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 1628
Loc: Gloucestershire/cotswolds
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Issi...it is a good plan to have an eye-test as the optitians do check for Glaucoma and other diseases. Lucky you to not need glasses though...Congratulations! I have never been pressured into having glasses from where I have the test. I think they are not allowed to do that. You can take your prescription to any other optitian even if you are advised to get glasses....and you do not have to have any if you feel you do not need them.
Mayday
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I may not be rich or famous but my Grandchildren ARE Priceless !!
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3066
Loc: Surrey
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Thanks Mayday. I will be booking a test.
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Sweet_Pea
member
Reged: 25/08/2008
Posts: 1252
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I wear glasses for reading but have my eyes tested every year as the pressure reading (to test for glaucoma) is at the high end of the normal range. A regular (2 yearly) eye test can pick up far more than just deteriorating eyesight.
Sweetpeasue
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Mayday
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 1628
Loc: Gloucestershire/cotswolds
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Ps I do really know how to spell optician!!!! Sorry.... and good luck Issi!! It will give you peace of mind!
Mayday
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I may not be rich or famous but my Grandchildren ARE Priceless !!
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Jules050
member
Reged: 07/10/2008
Posts: 1
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Quote:
I am 57 and have never had an eye test. I read without glasses except in a poor light where I use some bought reading glasses, number 1. I have avoided opticians because I keep thinking they will try to sell me glasses, but I take the point that I should be checking my eye health.
Hi all, I often view the threads on here, but this is the first time I've decided to post - it's an interesting topic!
I know I sound pessimistic but HoneyPots is right issi, you just can't tell all is well unless you have a professional check your eyes.
I couldn't work out how your eyesight could deteriorate at such a rate so did some searching online and found out that it's your peripheral vision that gradually worsens and your field of vision eventually narrows so much that you seem to be looking through a tunnel, but because the signs appear so gradually, you don’t realize you have developed glaucoma.
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Rainbow08
member
Reged: 07/10/2008
Posts: 201
Loc: Kent
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I spent several years using cheap reading glasses but eventually decided to have my eyes tested by the profesionals. What a difference the prescription glasses made. Unfortunately my eyes deteriorated quite rapidly thereafter and within 9 months I needed varifocals. They took a bit of getting used too but now couldn't be without them. The optometrist was very thorough and can't recommend having your eyes tested enough.
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HoneyPots
member
Reged: 06/10/2008
Posts: 3
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It really brings it home when you hear of stories of people who lose their sight.
Rainbow08, it's shocking how quickly your eyesight can deteriorate isn't it? At least you nipped it in the bud before it got too bad.
You're exactly right Jules050, that is how you can lose your vision without noticing it, if you have glaucoma. There are other factors that can also contribute to you losing your sight which people are often unaware of, particularly smoking.
Everyone is aware of the dangers of smoking to your lungs, but did you also know that smoking can DOUBLE the risk of developing AMD (Age-related macular degeneration) which is the UK's leading cause of sight loss? The link is as strong as the link between smoking and lung cancer.
Optometrists are there to help you. They aren't there to sell you glasses so never feel you'll be pressured into buying glasses just because you've gone to have your eyes tested.
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