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  1. Info & advice
  2. Eye health

Eye health

Common eye conditions

A brief overview of the six most common eye conditions.

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Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a problem with your macula that causes sight distortion or loss to your central vision. It is not painful and it doesn't result in total sight loss. The exact causes are unknown but certain factors are thought to increase your chances of developing AMD such as smoking, sunlight, age and gender.

The result of AMD is that when you look directly at something like the TV or photos, it causes a blurry patch in the middle of your vision which over time can become blank.                                                                                                             

Example of sight with AMD

Picture: Example of sight with AMD

                

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetes is a condition where the amount of sugar in your blood is too high. To regulate the amount of sugar in your blood your body relies upon a hormone called insulin. Diabetes occurs when your body either produces very little or none of the hormone insulin (called Type 1 diabetes) or the insulin that is produced does not work properly or there isn’t enough of it (called Type 2 diabetes).

Both types of diabetes can cause damage to tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye that supply the retina. This is called diabetic retinopathy. The blood vessels may swell and leak blood or fluid, or larger blood vessels may become blocked causing new, very weak blood vessels to grow in the wrong place on the retina. In very advanced cases, the retina can become detached.

Diabetic retinopathy is very varied in severity.  If mild and the blood vessels only swell or leak slightly, you may not notice any symptoms at all. 

If the blood vessels affected are on the macula, your central vision and ability to see detail will be affected. In the more advanced stages or if the diabetes isn’t controlled, blood vessels can bleed more severely and more suddenly obscuring patches of your sight where the bleeds occur.  Total sight loss can occur in extreme cases.

With diabetic retinopathy vision can change continually and unpredictably, even over the course of a day or within a day. This could mean a deterioration in sight or maybe just a change as the patches of obscurity move around.

Picture: Example of sight with diabetic retinopathy 

              

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of part of your eye called the lens. A common myth is that it is a layer of skin that grows over your eye. Many people over 60 have some cataract and the vast majority can be treated successfully. Early cataracts may not affect your sight and do not need treatment.

Cataracts can form at any age. The most common type of cataract is age-related cataract and they develop as people get older. In younger people cataracts can result from conditions such as diabetes, certain medications and other longstanding eye problems. Cataracts can also be present at birth. These are called congenital cataracts.

Cataracts causes vision to become blurred as the cataract is like a frosted glass interfering with your sight.

Picture: Example of sight with cataracts

                         

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions which cause damage to the optic nerve. This damage can be caused by increased pressure in the eye damaging the optic nerve, or by a weakened optic nerve, or often by a combination of the two.

This high pressure in the eye is not linked to blood pressure. It is caused when drainage channels in the eye become blocked and there is a build-up of fluid in the eye.

There are different types of Glaucoma depending upon the speed at which the drainage channels become blocked or whether another eye condition has caused the Glaucoma. In very rare cases babies can have Glaucoma caused by a malformation of the eye.

Glaucoma can develop very slowly and may be symptom-free at first. Left to develop untreated it can cause loss of your side (peripheral) vision leaving you only able to see things directly in front of you (tunnel vision).

Example of sight with Glaucoma

Picture: Example of sight with glaucoma

                                      

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to a group of inherited diseases of the retina that all lead to a gradual progressive reduction in vision.

The age at which symptoms start is variable and may vary with the different genetic types. The rate at which vision deteriorates is also variable but is generally very slow with changes occurring over years rather than months. In approximately half of all cases (50 to 60%) there are other family members with RP.

Difficulties with night vision and peripheral vision are usually the first things that are noticed. Later, reading vision (detailed vision) and colour vision are usually affected and eventually some people may become blind.

Picture: Example of sight with RP   

   

                                                                                              

Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a common condition among people who have lost their sight. It causes people who have lost a lot of vision to see things that aren't really there, known as visual hallucinations.

CBS can be distressing but the hallucinations are usually not permanent. Many people experience hallucinations for a year to eighteen months before they become a lot less frequent.

 

Published: 5th April, 2018

Updated: 13th April, 2018

Author: Becky Cawdry

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Eye clinics

Hospitals and clinics across Cambridgeshire.

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Eye Clinic Cambridge University Hospitals

Outpatients who require treatment for conditions relating to the eye.
Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
Contact Angela Watts, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer on 01223 216577 or [email protected]
www.cuh.nhs.uk/for-patients/contact-outpatient-clinics/all-clinics/clinic-3-eye-clinic

     

Anglia Ruskin University Eye Clinic

Optometry and ophthalmic dispensing students provide optical care to the local community.  Students carry out eye examinations fully supervised by qualified optometrists who are a mixture of full-time lecturers and visiting clinicians from local practices.
Contact 01223 698070 or 0845 1962070
www.anglia.ac.uk/science-and-technology/about/vision-and-hearing-sciences/university-eye-clinic

                                                                                                                                                                          

Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon

Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon, PE29 6NT
The Eye Unit, 1st Floor of the Treatment Centre
Contact Vicky French, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer on 01480 416416 (ext 3190) or
[email protected] 
Outpatient appointments 01480 416509 
Orthoptic department 01480 847444 
www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/a-z-of-services/e/eyes-opthalmology/ 

                                                                                       

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn

NHS Foundation Trust, Gayton Road, King's Lynn, PE30 4ET
Ophthalmology Outpatients department 01553 613073
http://www.qehkl.nhs.uk/ophthalmologyoverview.asp?s=information&p=Ophthalmology

                                                 

Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely                  

Princess of Wales, Lynn Road, Ely, CB6 1DN 
https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/contact
http://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/contact-find-us/our-sites/princess-of-wales-hospital-ely

                              

Doddington County Hospital, March

Doddington County Hospital, Benwick Road, Doddington, March, PE15 0UG 
https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/contact
http://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/contact-find-us/our-sites/doddington-hospital              

                            

North Cambridgeshire Hospital, Wisbech    

North Cambridgeshire Hospital, The Park, Wisbech, PE13 3AB 
01945 488088
http://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/contact-find-us/our-sites/north-cambs-hospital-wisbech

   

Anglia Community Eye Service (ACES)

32 Cromwell Road, Wisbech, PE14 OSN
01945 466222 or [email protected]
www.aces-eyeclinic.co.uk

            

Published: 13th April, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2020

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Eye tests

Optometrists, home visiting Opticians and the Minor Eye Conditions Service.

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The College of Optometrists

Find an Optometrist search directory
www.lookafteryoureyes.org/eye-examinations/find-an-optometrist/?postcode

              

Specsavers

Specsavers have a team of mobile opticians that provide a comprehensive home eyecare service to those who cannot get to a branch without assistance.
Contact 0800 198 1132
www.specsavers.co.uk/home-eye-tests

      

The Outside clinic

The Outside clinic provide a comprehensive home visiting eye test service carried out by an Optician specialist.
Contact 0800 60 50 40 or [email protected] 
www.outsideclinic.co.uk/sight-test/

                         

The Minor Eye Conditions Service

The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) treats conditions which do not necessarily need specialist hospital examination, in convenient locations and is carried out by specially trained Optometrists. 
www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/minor-eye-conditions-service/

Published: 21st August, 2018

Updated: 3rd July, 2020

Author: Kerry Olson

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Registering as sight impaired

How to register as sight impaired.

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RNIB

contact 0303 1239999 or [email protected]
www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health/registering-your-sight-loss

           

Thomas Pocklington Trust

contact 0208 9950880 or [email protected]
A guide to registration | Thomas Pocklington Trust (pocklington-trust.org.uk)

Published: 29th October, 2018

Updated: 10th February, 2021

Author: Kerry Olson

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Support groups

Support groups for specific eye conditions.

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Glaucoma Support

The Clinical School, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ
Contact Penny Glass 01223 274889

 

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Cambridge local group.
Co-ordinator Mr Alan Chamley Contact 01223 836 890 or [email protected] 
https://retinauk.org.uk/  

                        

Macular Society

Cambridge local group.
Chesterton Methodist Church, Green End Road, Cambridge, CB4 1RW
3rd Monday of each month 12-2pm
Contact Alice Zeitlyn 01223 357395

                              

Esme's Umbrella - Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Esme's Umbrella is a group working towards greater awareness and support for Charles Bonnet Syndrome.  They currently offer a helpline for people living with the condition.
Contact 0345 0513925 or 0207 7391 3299
http://www.charlesbonnetsyndrome.uk/

Published: 13th April, 2018

Updated: 22nd February, 2019

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  • Common eye conditions

    A brief overview of the six most common eye conditions.

  • Eye clinics

    Hospitals and clinics across Cambridgeshire.

  • Our mission, vision, and values

    Our mission, vision, and values

    Cam Sight is a Cambridgeshire charity that supports local people of all ages living with low vision and blindness to live the lives they choose. We work to enhance independence, improve well-being, and improve inclusion.

  • Equipment

    Equipment

    Our equipment centres in Cambridge and Wisbech display a wide range of demonstration equipment. Our trained staff are on hand to show you what's available, demonstrate how to use it and provide support with the purchase.

  • Join us as a volunteer

    Join us as a volunteer

    What would you like to do? Whether you've got a few minutes or a few days a month, there are plenty of ways you can give your time to volunteer for Cam Sight.

  • Cambridge Office

    In Cambridge, Cam Sight is based at 167 Green End Road, CB4 1RW.

  • Sport and fitness

    Cam Sight and other organisations activities.

  • Cambridge transport

    Local transport and travel services.

  • Donate

    Donate

    Help us to make a real difference to the lives of local children and adults who are blind or have low vision. With your support we can reach more people across the county to ensure they can access the support and advice they need during this crisis.

  • Volunteer story

    Volunteer story

    Cam Sight is fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers supporting our work. Volunteers are not only invaluable members of our team, they also themselves benefit from volunteering. Doreen tells us what volunteering means to her.

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