Here are some links that I hope will be of use to you
www.rnib.org.uk

www.maculardisease.org

www.glaucoma-societyuke.org

www.glaucoma-association.com

www.diabetes.org.uk

guide dogs for the blind - www.guidedogs.org.uk

www.unadev.org  (The French Guide Dog Site)
 

www.myvisiontest.com

The Daily Mail has reported on a new test be trialled in the UK to see if heart disease can be picked up by taking a high definition image of the eye. The images taken of the retinas will be checked for changes to blood vessel widths or unusually branched blood vessels.
At a routine eye examination, your blood vessels are always checked for signs of hypertension and cholesterol but it is hoped that this test will pick changes up earlier. The study is being done in Scotland where there is a high incidence of heart disease.
The Daily Mail has also reported that there is a new infection on the horizon which is supposed to stop dry macular degeneration changing to the wet type and so reduce your risk of going blind. This has only been tried out in the laboratory so will have to go through may clinical trials to be approved.
In another study, a drug based on Vit A is being tested to see if it can stop visual deterioration in cases of dry macular degeneration. Vit A can damage the retina so please do not overdose on this vitamin. This has shown promise but further research is required. The good news is that the drug has been used for other diseases so is known to be safe.

 

I am going to the UK for the following week

A recent study of over 4500 people in Europe at the beginning of this century has shown that people over 65 who take a daily aspirin could have double the risk of developing wet AMD compared to those who take the drug less frequently.
Aspirin usage was found to have no effect on the risk of developing advanced dry AMD.
Although cardiovascular disease is a risk factor for AMD, the researchers concluded that even when this added factor was taken into consideration daily users showed a higher risk of wet AMD.
The team who determined this risk has advised that ‘medical professionals should stick with their current advice on aspirin for older, cardiovascular disease patients, until other studies confirm the link between daily aspirin use and wet AMD risk.’
Professor de Jong added: "If future studies support our results, then recommendations on aspirin may need to be modified for patients with age-related macular degeneration”.
Whilst this could be a problem, if you take aspirin daily, it may be advisable to speak to your GP when you next see them.

Dry Macular Degeneration

If you suffer with dry MD you will know that there is no treatment.

I have been contacted by a UK based group who have developed a new operation based on cataract surgery. Instead of having a normal implanted lens you get a specialist lens that moves the image onto a healthy part of the retina. You can have this done even if you don't have a cataract.

Obviously, this operation is not suitable for every one. I have been trained to assess people to see if they are suitable. This assessment can be done at the same time as an eye examination, and will incur a fee.

If you are interested, please contact me.

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New macular degeneration study

There is a study taking place in the UK on the treatment of Macular degeneration.

Go to www.merlotstudy.com for information

When the sunny weather is here, we are starting to put on the suntan lotion to protect our skin from harmful UV light. Recent demographic studies have shown that people who protect their eyes from UV light have a reduced risk of getting macular degeneration and cataracts.

It would seem a good idea to encourage infants and children to wear sunspecs so that their risks are kept to a minimum.

As you know, my practice is small and I am unable to keep a range of quality sunspecs for children instock. I have therefor arranged a discount for parents and grandparents who wish to buy sunspecs from the Baby Banz range, which have been tried and tested in Australia.

To get the discount go to www.sunproof.co.uk and choose from the range of styles they have. When you go to shopping cart to pay, if you put in the code babybanzfr in the voucher/promo code section, you should get a £1.00 discount on your purchase.

If you have any problems with this system and get no joy from them, then contact me.

Sight Risk

I now have the Sight Risk software in my practice which allows me to assess your risk of developing macular as you get older. This software takes in account all you risk factors - past and present - to determine if your risk is greater that the normal 10 to 12%

Please ring me to arrange an assessment.

A recent study from China on the development of myopia (shortsight) in children has revealed that the more a child plays outside, the less the risk for myopia. The age group was 7 to 11 year olds

Myopic children spend 3.7 hours less a week playing outside and for every hour spent outside, the risk is reduced by 2%.

The English Optician is in department 24 at Eymet. The address is 18 bd National 24500 Eymet.

The bd National is the main D933 through Eymet, and number 18 also houses Simon Pullen the chiropractor. It is next door to Le Plein Sud and opposite the Casino supermarket. There is off street parking on the Casino side of the road.

For those without satellite navigation systems (including me) here are some directions

From Bergerac and the north - take the D933 out Bergerac signposted to Mont de Marsan and Marmande. Eymet is about 18 km south of Bergerac. Follow the road into Eymet, (carry straight on at the roundabout and the traffic lights) and past the college on the right hand side. The English Optician is next door to Le Plein Sud on the right hand side.

From Miramont and Marmande take the D933 to Eymet. Do not leave this road when you enter Eymet and continue passed the CA Bank  and La Cour d'Eymet on the left.  The English Optician is on the left side of the road.

To find a route from your door to mine, I recommend

www.viamichelin.co.uk

Contact lenses.

Contact lenses are now available at The English Opticians.

Modern lenses such as Daily Disposable lenses are great and you don't have to wear them every day or even clean them - just wear them once and then throw them away. If you play sports such as tennis or golf, they can be worn just for that as and when you play.

Ring to discuss whether you are suitable.