Milford Eye Clinic

Definitions

As people age, the lens of the eye can become ‘cloudy’, covered with an opaque film, affecting sight, eventually causing total loss of sight. Cataract surgery involves removal of the entireclouded lens (the cataract), usually followed by replacement of the lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) made of plastic, silicone, acrylic or other material. The operation typically takes about an hour, is done under local anaesthetic only, and may be done as an outpatient procedure. Normally, the ophthalmologist (eye specialist) makes a very small incision and inserts an ultrasonic tip which, vibrating at high speed, breaks up the cataract without damaging surrounding tissue. The remains of the cataract are then suctioned out.moreFacial plastic surgery includes cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic procedures include rhytidectomy or ‘facelift’, involving removing wrinkles and sagging from the face; browplasty, a‘brow lift’ or ‘forehead lift’, which lifts eyebrows and smoothens forehead skin; and midface lift or ‘cheek lift’, which involves tightening of the cheeks. Other procedures often accompanying facial plastic surgery are lip enhancement, improving the lips’ fullness; and rhinoplasty or ‘nose job’, reshaping of the nose. Reconstructive plastic surgery is usually performed to improve function, but it may be also done to make people appear more normal. It corrects impairments caused by burns; traumatic injuries, such as facial bone fractures and breaks; abnormalities present at birth, such as cleft palates or cleft lips; developmental abnormalities; infection and disease; and cancer or tumours.moreOphthalmology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the eye. This includes the area surrounding the eyes such as bones, muscles, eyelids and tear ducts.Vitreoretinal surgery treats problems related to the retina and vitreous of the eye. The retina is the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. The vitreous is a clear fluid that fills thecentral cavity of the eye. Most serious retinal problems that require surgery are caused by problems with the vitreous. With retinal detachment, a tear of the retina allows liquid in the vitreous cavity to pass through and get under the retina. The liquid collects under the retina and gradually separates it from the back wall of the eye. This separation is called a retinal detachment and involves loss of vision. Vitrectomy or retinal detachment repair is surgery to close the tear or hole and place a detached retina back into its normal position. It is usually done under local anaesthetic. Intraocular infection (endophthalmitis) is an infection within the eye, usually treated with antibiotic medication. In severe cases, a vitrectomy is performed to remove the infectious material inside the eye.moreOphthalmology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the eye. Medical retina is a subspecialty that relates to the diagnosis and treatment of problems with the retinathrough non-surgical means. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.moreGlaucoma is a common eye condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eyes rises because of reduced fluid drainage from the eye. If untreated, it may damage the optic nerve, which carries visualinformation from the eye to the brain, and other parts of the eye, causing loss of vision or even blindness. The front part of the eye is filled with a clear fluid called aqueous humor, which is always being made in the back of the eye. It leaves the eye through channels in the front of the eye in an area called the anterior chamber angle. Anything that reduces or blocks the flow of this fluid will cause pressure to build up in the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP). There are different types of glaucoma. Open-angle (chronic) glaucoma is the most common. An increase in intraocular pressure occurs slowly and usually painlessly over time. The pressure pushes on the optic nerve and the retina (light-sensitive tissue) at the back of the eye. Open-angle glaucoma tends to run in families. The aim of treatment is to reduce eye pressure, using medications or surgery, either a painless laser treatment, to help open the fluid outflow channels, or more traditional surgery under general anaesthetic to open a new channel. Early diagnosis and careful management are the keys to preventing vision loss.more