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Eye treatments & information
At The Edinburgh Eye Clinic, we offer a wide range of assessments for your eyes. Our approach combines the skills of our specialist consultants and specialist ophthalmic nurse with the latest diagnostic technology and the highest standards of patient care.
A cataract is when the natural lens within your eye becomes cloudy affecting the way light enters the eye, in turn blurring your vision. To treat cataracts, surgery is the only option. Once your symptoms are sufficiently significant the cloudy lens material is removed and a lens implant is inserted in its place.
Blepharitis is a common condition that affects the eyelid margins of both eyes and can occur in children and adults. It is a low-grade chronic infection caused by common skin bacteria and can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, such as crusting, irritation, eyelid margin redness, watery eyes and burning or itching of the eyelids.
Bags underneath the eyes are a tell-tale sign of aging and can make us look worn out and drained. These bags develop because our skin loses elasticity and the muscles under the eyes lose firmness, which causes fat to store in them more easily.
In order to improve the appearance of the eyes, many people resort to having eyelid surgery. Blepharoplasty, as it’s medically known, helps the eyes to look more youthful by reducing and tightening the loose skin.
Although there is no treatment for dry eyes, there are medications that can be used to relieve symptoms, including lubricants, sprays, oils, drops, and ointments. Some medications contain a steroid, immunosuppressant agents, or lubricants to help replenish the eye fluid, lost due to evaporation or disease.
Ectropion is the medical term used to describe outward turning of the lower eyelid and eyelashes. The margin of the eyelid and the eyelashes evert (turn out). This can lead to excessive tearing, crusting of the eyelid, mucous discharge and irritation of the eye.
Entropion is the medical term used to describe the rolling inward of the lower eyelid and eyelashes towards the eye. The skin of the eyelid and the eyelashes rub against the cornea and conjunctiva. This rubbing can be very uncomfortable and damage the delicate tissues around the front of the eye. It can also impair vision.
Assessment and day-case surgical treatment of eyelid conditions, including ectropion, entropion and ptosis is available privately at The Edinburgh Clinic, from consultant ophthalmic surgeons and consultant plastic surgeons within our calming, unique and quality clinical environment.
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of conditions that cause damage to the eye, in part related to high intraocular pressure (eye pressure). This damage can cause patchy loss of vision that varies in severity, and can result in blindness. Glaucoma can lead to deterioration in peripheral vision.
Is an eye disorder in which the central retina – the macula – becomes damaged, leading to a reduction in central vision. AMD is the most common cause of serious loss of vision in Europe and the USA. It affects the central (detail) vision, but normally leaves the outer (peripheral) vision unaffected.
Ptosis the name given to a drooping of the upper eyelid that occurs when the edge of the upper eyelid that contains the lashes falls too low. When this happens, the edge of the eyelid covers part of the pupil blocking the upper part of your vision. In severe cases it is necessary to tilt one’s head back or lift the eyelid with a finger in order to see out from under the drooping lid.
Refractive & clear lens exchange
In refractive or clear lens surgery, sometimes also called ‘lens replacement surgery’, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial clinical lens. This new lens will have a specific power or prescription to help resolve common focusing or ‘refractive’ conditions. It is a similar process to cataract surgery, in which the eye’s cloudy lens is replaced.
Treats diseases of the vitreous and retina that are amenable to surgical and other treatments. Half the number of patients requiring surgery present as emergency or urgent cases. Other potentially sight-threatening conditions which are treated by surgery include Retinal Tears, Diabetic Retinopathy, Vitreous Haemorrhage, Macular Hole and Epiretinal Membranes.
Eyes may water either because of too much tear secretion – caused by irritation of the eye, Blepharitis or allergy – or because of a blockage in the tear drainage system. Symptoms of watery eyes include blurred vision, irritation of the skin around the eye and infection of the tear drainage system. It can sometimes prevent people from wearing make-up and potentially causes embarrassment.
Ophthalmology publications for patients
We have a range of ophthalmology publications at The Edinburgh Clinic and our services that you may find useful.