Eye problems

[silviana]

I wear varifocals and had my latest spectacles only a year ago but when I went into the supermarket yesterday, I couldn't read the signs. It was as though I had double vision. How can my vision have deteriorated so quickly?

[Charlie]

Well it depends on what your eye condition is. Double vision is a concern and shouldn't be ignored-I suffer from it myself, requiring the use of prisms to align the images that I see. But I was always warned of sudden changes in the double vision as it can be a symptom of more serious conditions-I'd get checked out if I were you.

[silviana]

Unfortunately, here in the UK the NHS will only fund us pensioners with one free eye test every two years and it's 10 months before my next test is due. I'll have to see if I can afford the £20!

[smokey]

I think the more we wear our glasses the more dependent we become of them. I used to only wear mine when I was on the computer. Now it's all day everyday!
I wonder why your eyes changed so much?

[Charlie]

This is not true. When I was an NHS eye patient I went through a period when I was suffering bad headaches. My prescription was changing rapidly and I had to be tested frequently-every three months in fact. My optician said that if there is a genuine reason it can be more often.

Just this week in fact, my mother (a UK pensioner) had an eye test 18 months after her previous, free on the NHS. The reason was because she experienced sudden pain in her one eye, and momentarily lost the vision in that eye. They had to her go to the hospital to rule out several very serious conditions, and then she had to go to have an eye test follow up.

Call them up and tell them what has happened/is happening. Ask them if you can be tested and still have a free test because of your symptoms. Honestly, you can get seen if there is a real need.

[silviana]

Thanks Charlie, I did explain what the problem was and they said if they found a genuine problem I wouldn't have to pay but if there was nothing wrong I would have to pay. As I'm not sure that it isn't just overuse of my computer, I'm reluctant to take the chance.

[Charlie]

That's shocking I'll be honest. Sudden onset double vision can be caused by many-very serious things. A second thought-try your GP. They can look in your eyes, and if they are concerned refer you to your optician. If they refer you, would you have a better chance of a free test?

[silviana]

I'd like to say a belated thank you to Charlie and everyone who urged me to get some treatment for the deterioration in my eyesight. It turned out that I have cataracts in both eyes and have since had an operation to remove one. I will shortly have the other one removed and my eyesight will be much improved. Had I left it any longer it would just have got worse.

[Charlie]

Congratulations on finding a cause and on getting your first surgery. The NHS isn't the best but it sounds like you came up against a real PITB optician who let the power go to his head.

[musa]

Eye body system a sensitive issue it case difficulties then smoke dust and tears began so protect eyes every moment.