Glaucoma

Think of the eye as a football or car tyre, without pressure it would collapse flat. However as the internal structures are very delicate, too much pressure in the eye can cause damage and affect your sight.

We measure the pressure in the eye in mm of mercury (mm Hg) the same as we measure air pressure, 10-20 mmHg is normal whereas anything above 25 mmHg can be regarded as suspicious. My new Air Puff Tonometer is very quick and simple, much better than the older "puffer" we used. 

However the definitive test is carried out by our new Medmont visual fields tester, everyone gets a go on this and believe me it is the best addition we have made to the practice in years.

Visual field analysis used to be time consuming and tedious, with this new instrument we get a clear idea of your visual pathway right back to the brain. I really wonder how we did without it and everyone can be checked in about 5 - 7 minutes not only for Glaucoma but a host of other (some serious) conditions

Diabetes

Long term diabetics (especially insulin dependants) are at greater risk of eye damage, the blood vessel walls on the back of the eye weaken and small hemorrhages can threaten the retina.

The new Diabetic Retinopathy Monitoring Scheme (DRMS) has been set up in Nottingham to coordinate care between the GP, Optician and Diabetic clinic at the QMC. We now provide annual checks under the scheme where we use drops to dilate the pupil and get the clearest possible view of the retina.