• " Doc I have been told I have Miopia is this to do with Cataracts they say I will need a Operation within the next 5yrs. I wore glasses for 50yrs now since I was 3yrs old yes inclusing the wire NHS ones as a kid. ( Jack_1969uk ). "
• Myopia simply means short-sightedness – you can clearly see objects and read close up but not at a distance. Hyperopia means long-sightedness – you can see distant objects and read by holding the book or newspaper at arm’s length. In theory as your eye muscles weaken with age, the lens becomes thinner and myopia changes to hyperopia. Unfortunately other defects such as astigmatism ( blurred vision because of irregular shaped cornea or lens ) tend to develop. All of these are “ refractive errors “.
• Cataracts – clouding of the lens – are the major cause of impaired vision ( possibly leading to blindness ) throughout the world, although they don’t normally cause short-sightedness. Usually one eye is affected more than the other, and most are age-related. If your specialist has diagnosed cataract(s) and said an operation is needed, this involves removal of the involved lens and replacement by an artificial ( plastic ) lens. It’s done under local anaesthesia, takes around 20 minutes, and vision should improve within 2 or 3 days.
• Of course any member, partner, family or friends having an eye test should have a full explanation of any abnormality found – by the optician, doctor ( GP ) or specialist ( ophthalmic ) surgeon.
• We are so lucky having the NHS in the UK, but at least we should be aware of how common eye problems are. Simple measures – eye testing, screening for diabetes, good diet, wearing sunglasses – would help, and not smoking would also save money !
• At least 1/10 in the UK, and fewer in the Philippines, have never had an eye test. Even if the estimate of 100 children losing sight each week in the Philippines is exaggerated, a tenth of that number is still too many.
