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Author Topic: Eyesight worry  (Read 6010 times)

kpnuts

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Eyesight worry
« on: July 31, 2016, 08:20:34 pm »

Hi all, sorry this is a long story,Im suddenly thinking I know why my models are turning rubbish putting 2 and 2 together. I went for an eye test yesterday. They do a pressure test, they did it 3 times as they didn't like the results and told me to go back in a fortnight to do the test again, then I did another test for my peripheral vision, which they did twice and have told me to go back half an hour earlier on my next visit so they can do the test again, if I fail the tests again they will be sending me to a specialist. The problem is in my left eye. 7 yrs ago (I  head gardener, I say that there is only me now but at the time there were 3 others) and I stood on a rake which had been left the wrong way up (not by me) it hit me in the left eye so hard I lost vision in that eye so my missus drove me to a and e by the time I was seen my eyesight was starting to return, they checked it all over and asked if I drove I said yes and they said I was not to drive anymore till I had the appropriate glasses as my eyesight was below the standard to drive (I never even knew) now I'm thinking have I ruined my left eye, the optician seemed quite worried with the test results and I have noticed when modeling unless I'm right under the light I can't really see what I'm doing. I hope I don't loose my sight, that will really "xxxxx" my modeling up.
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grendel

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2016, 08:45:33 pm »

I need to get an eye test as my glasses just arent cutting the mustard now, I have 3 pairs, 1 pair for distance, 1 for reading, and a third pair for in between.
my left eye was diagnosed as a child as a lazy eye, they never could correct it, it is now at a point they cannot correct by glasses as the image sizes would be so far apart that my brain could not correct. even with my glasses I cant use binoculars as the adjustment available for the left eye is not enough to bring that eye to focus.
Yet despite this I manage, my left eye has great peripheral vision, and can figure movement well, so its not too much of a drawback, I manage driving and model making (with my reading glasses), if I want to do really close work, i wear 2 pairs of glasses, as that saves using a magnifying glass. (I also work as a CAD draughtsman)
Dont panic just yet, the specialists can fix most things nowadays, the worst you may suffer is wearing glasses or contact lenses. I have been wearing glasses since I was 18 (I found out when suffering eye strain on my A level technical Drawing exam - after a 3 hour paper).
the work I do stops me using varifocals as I need to see all of a plan at once, not just a strip in focus.
best of luck with the eye tests, and dont worry just yet.
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grendel

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2016, 08:50:37 pm »

Last weekend I met a guy who is registered blind - he still does close work, but now uses a magnifying glass and has to hold what he is looking at about 2" from his eyes - he is still fixing up phones and laptops.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2016, 09:44:06 pm »

Kpnuts, it is possible you have a form of glaucoma. Pressure builds up in the eye and this pushes the light receptors inwards so that they do not function.  The two tests, as you have described, are to measure the eye pressure and the peripheral field of vision which tends to be lost as the receptors are damaged. Unfortunately, as you normally tend to focus through the centre of the eye an appreciable amount of peripheral vision can be lost before the problem becomes apparent unless you have regular eye tests.

How do I know this?  Because I suffer from it myself. Glaucoma tends to run in the family so I have had the regular eye tests but have still lost approximately 25% of vision in my left eye in the bottom right quadrant. It does not affect my day to day vision to any appreciable extent though. I have just driven 1800 miles around Nova Scotia!

The existing loss of vision cannot be restored but simple treatment can stop it from getting any worse. The usual method is to use eye drops on a daily basis which control the pressure in the eye and thus reduce further damage. I have had this treatment for some 10 years now and with the pressure under control, there has been very little noticeable further deterioration.

Of course you may be suffering from something else but from what you have described, glaucoma sounds a likely candidate. The important thing is to have a proper examination by an eye consultant so that the condition can be stabilised as soon as possible. If there is a delay in getting an NHS appointment you can probably get a private diagnosis for around £200.

As Grendel says, the eye specialists can fix or stabilise most things these days although there are of course exceptions. Get a diagnosis and see where you go from there.

Colin
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2016, 10:06:35 pm »

Following o0n from my previous post, a lot of people do allow their eyesight to deteriorate without realising it if they do not have regular tests.

I have found that a good way to monitor changes is to use the Government driving test regulations - you should be able to read a car number plate at 20 metres (actually you should be able to read it at a considerably greater distance with normal eyesight). This is easy to check and you should do it separately with each eye because if one is substandard the other will cause your brain to compensate. If you can't read a numberplate at this distance then you definitely need to do something about it.

Another good way of keeping an eye on your vision(!) is to use road signs and check that they can be read at a constant distance over a period of time and that you don't find you are having to get nearer to them.

There are a lot of people on the road who should not be driving because of defective eyesight but don't realise it. As you get older, eye tests are essential in helping to keep your vision as good as possible but it is normal to find night driving more difficult once you pass 60 or so, this is simply age related.

Unfortunately the older you get the less well your body works until eventually it doesn't work at all..... <:(

Colin
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NFMike

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2016, 10:51:32 pm »

It sounds like you may have a problem in one eye, but plenty of people manage fine with just one good eye. The darn things do deteriorate with age as Colin says and one thing is that you need more light.
A good strong light on your workpiece will help a lot - I had 4x 20W daylight CFL lamps in a hood 2' above the workbench (haven't yet restored that since we moved house).

Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2016, 11:00:56 pm »

Agree with Plague, strong light is needed with age! Until recently, converting to LED lights has made everything a lot dimmer but the latest ones are a lot better.

You need to distinguish between the normal effects of ageing, (stronger lighting needed and poorer vision with night driving) and actual medical problems which need treatment.

Colin
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grasshopper

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2016, 11:59:43 pm »

I have issues with my eyes too, bespectacled since I was 8 or nine with severe shortsightedness, as Ive aged the eyes have started to go t'other way and I manage with varifocals.
I'm in my late fifties now and I use drops to reduce the pressure in my eyes(side effect of that is extremely fast growing eyelashes which I have to trim monthly!)

I am losing sight slowly in my left eye, over the last 6/7 years it has got to the stage where I can't see anything to the upper/ right side of an imaginary diagonal line going from bottom right to upper left, my most recent test has showed that it's creeping up from the bottom left now so eventually will probably go altogether. My right eye as regards peripheral/ field of vision is almost 100% so that makes up for the bad'un.

The points of my ramblings are that you can cope with one eye, your brain will compensate for the weaker eye, we all need more light and magnifying sheets/glasses as we get older - just don't be afraid to ask for advice or help - and use whatever  aids available to make life easier.
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BrianB6

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2016, 03:06:03 am »

It's when you need 4 pairs of glasses that you need to worry.  %%
Mostly where did I leave them.
Reading, Computer, long distance and bifocal computer / long distance (which I hate) for making Powerpoint presentaions.
Everyone should have regular eye tests even though you may think you don't need to.   I can think of nothing worse than losing ones sight when so often it can be avoided by early intervention.
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raflaunches

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2016, 05:50:37 am »

I've had poor eyesight since I was 9 and only noticed when I said to the teacher that I couldn't see what she had written on the blackboard. I was taken to an optician where I had my first pair of glasses fitted and for the first time everything was clear. After much research my mum was told that when I was born the cord was wrapped around my neck and they now know that the first thing to deteriorate after the first ten seconds of oxygen deprivation is your eyesight. 
After a few years I hated wearing glasses and changed to contact lenses and stuck with them ever since. I am very short-sighted, without any glasses or lenses I can't see anything in any form of detail past 10 inches in front of my face- much like Thelma off ScoobyDoo- but if I had'nt noticed early on I've been told that it would have been much worse. It's amazing what they can do these days for people like us, I was a modeller from the age of 7 and thought that I wouldn't be able to continue with a new hobby that I enjoyed so much. Wearing glasses isn't the worst thing in the world and if its glaucoma it is treatable, I wouldn't worry yourself as you are still a fantastic modeller and we all know the builder is their own worst critic- I certainly am!
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kpnuts

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2016, 06:41:44 am »

Thanks for all the kind replys and advice, I will keep my fingers crossed.
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FsASTSyd1

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #11 on: August 01, 2016, 07:14:56 am »

Think I can just about say "Snap" to Colin so very similar to my eye problem. One other thing that might pop up, as it did in my case, is that almost always with age, is the Cataract problem. But even that operation is nothing like the tales from the past, had one done several months ago, at the hospital by 08:30 back home for lunch by 12:30
job done. Several extra eye drops for a couple of weeks,but able to drive the day after the operation. :police: %%   
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2016, 07:37:14 am »

I have had cataracts too. Had both done and oh what a difference! Needed a bit of follow up treatment on one earlier this year as the membrane can sometimes start to grow back and needs to be removed with a laser but it only took a few minutes.

I had mine done privately as being deaf as well my eyesight is rather important to me and the NHS are not too quick off the mark these days due to budget cuts. Cost around £5,000 for both eyes but this is just what savings are for.

Colin
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jaymac

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2016, 09:31:44 am »

 KP  it might be worth seeing a specialist privately if only to settle your mind.Agred most of them work with the NHS any way but there specialists and Specialists.
 Colin
      Not only a question of the NHS being quick of the mark they often wont do it till you almost need a guide dog. I had mine done privately  as I was ok sightwise   just very slight double vision  working on graphs on the pc took a gamble on  very slight  cataracts being the cause even the consultant could not guarantee . Any road fine now  no glasses bar closeup work
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2016, 09:40:36 am »

Quite right about the NHS Jaymac. there was a report a few days ago saying that some trusts will only do one eye now to save money.

KP, the opticians will write to your GP who will then refer you to a specialist. You can ask your GP to recommend a specialist that you can see privately. They are usually happy to do this as you are not doing somebody out of an NHS appointment, quite the opposite in fact and saving them money from their budget.

Colin
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jaymac

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #15 on: August 01, 2016, 09:51:39 am »

Aye (pun intended) Colin and they would probably do the best one {-)
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Stavros

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #16 on: August 01, 2016, 06:20:41 pm »

As someone on here who knows a lot more about opticians than i care to write on here....top tip forget your bucket shops like asds specsavers etc and go and sče an indpendant optician.......WHY
Simple really....all the bucket shops is employ newly qualified youngsters....the older indpendant shops are far superior and it is worth seeking them out....trust me on this FACT.....how do I know this....well fatherbwas an indipendant optician as wellas a qualified chemist.......
His wordsnrung true when i went to Asda and i had to get my money back as i couldnt see  a thing....same happened with specsavers

It is worth.travelling that extra.mile.....what price is your eyesight.lads.and lasses.......PRICELESS in.my opinion


Dave
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Netleyned

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #17 on: August 01, 2016, 06:28:34 pm »

Agreed :-))
I tried the cheap route through asda and found the lass that was on the
Security camera podium the week before was now dispensing glasses >>:-(


I too got my money back from Asda and Specsavers, went independent
and was well satisfied albeit a bit poorer.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #18 on: August 01, 2016, 07:07:31 pm »

I have been going to my local Specsavers for years and found them to be very good. The optometrists have all been mature people and obviously competent although not usually of UK origin. I know they are competent because I discuss my condition on the basis of information from my eye consultant. The equipment they use is excellent. Much of the testing process is now automated with retinal photographs etc. The optometrists deal with routine prescription work of course but also flag up anomalies and potential health conditions which are referred to your GP for further investigation.

Obviously I can only speak for the branch I use but my Wife uses a different one and is very happy with the service they give. I do wonder if all independents can afford the sort of equipment they now use in Specsavers.

Colin
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Netleyned

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #19 on: August 01, 2016, 07:36:29 pm »

No problem with ss optrometrists Colin,
It's the young girls who are basically sales
staff, but do the fitting for varifocals, which
I need and never seem to get the settings
right.


Ned
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ballastanksian

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #20 on: August 01, 2016, 07:56:30 pm »

Definitly get your eys tested regularly. I do as I use them for close up work daily and though I use Specsavers in town, they seem good, but then, fingers crossed, I have not needed a perscription yet.

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grasshopper

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #21 on: August 01, 2016, 08:19:51 pm »

+1 for Specsavers from me too, they were the ones that tested me and spotted my field of vision problems after using a long established, more senior, independent local ophthalmic optician for years.
They also supplied me with better spectacles and a 'free pair' of prescription specs which cost less than one pair from the previous mentioned independent.
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Stavros

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #22 on: August 01, 2016, 09:20:49 pm »

Lets put it to you another way Colin all the local Opticians are Light years ahead of the local branches of sepecsavers etc and believe you me are far far quicker to refer you to the hospital or specialist


Dave
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kpnuts

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #23 on: August 01, 2016, 09:44:47 pm »

Well I have to say I used specsavers  and the woman was not young I would guess in her 40s she did one test 3 times as she didn't like the results and a further test twice, could not have been more helpful or professional, sorry but although I still do not know what the real problem is nothing seemed to much trouble and she tried to reassure me all the way through it. I will continue to use them as my previous independent one made me feel uncomfortable and acted as tough because he had letters after his name he was somehow my superior and he was doing me a favour lowering himself to deal with me, and I had to go back and have the glasses altered as they were wrong and gave me headaches.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyesight worry
« Reply #24 on: August 01, 2016, 09:46:42 pm »

No local ones around here anymore Dave, all been bought out by the big chains. I do appreciate what you are saying though, you can't beat years of experience but the new kit does make a difference in levelling things up a bit as it offers more facilities than were previously available.

Colin
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