THE EYES HAVE IT……..DID YOU READ OUR INTERVIEW IN LINK MAGAZINE?

Link Magazine is the church and community magazine for Radcliffe and Shelford. It contains local news, articles and advertisements.

With increasing interest and emphasis on our health, Link Magazine thought it would be appropriate to interview Lesley as a follow up to the article published in August 2020 LINK when we announced our investment in a brand new, ‘state of the art’, Optos Monaco laser eye scanner which provides an Optomap high-resolution image to give the optician a much wider and highly magnified view of the central, but uniquely also, the peripheral retina.

No doubt we will all have different views on the organs we consider to be most important for a happy and fulfilled life and we suspect that many of us would score our eyesight very highly indeed.

Lesley was of the view that by having the availability of a more in-depth scan of the retina she would be able to notice developing problems in patient eyes before they became more serious.

As a follow up Link Magazine asked Lesley for feedback on the OCT examinations she has done and the practical value that has been added to her patient eye health.

The interview appeared on pages 20 and 21 of the January edition.

“Firstly you need to know that the retina is the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain. In the centre of the retina is the macula. It is about 5mm across and provides the sharp central vision needed for reading (you are using it now), driving and seeing fine detail.

Identifying Retinal Tears

Numerous patients have come in for a routine check-up with no apparent concerns only for the scanner to pick up a retinal tear. These have warranted emergency same-day referral for laser treatment to prevent retinal detachment which is sight-threatening. The laser treatment is usually done the same day to prevent fluid leaking under the retina and lifting off thus preventing a serious eye problem that would involve complex surgery and extensive recuperation.

High Blood Pressure

The laser scanner has also highlighted many patient blood pressure issues. Most of them were previously unrealised by patients. Large retinal haemorrhages can easily be seen and shown to the patient. These are caused by high blood pressure which needs treating with medication with a follow up at the eye hospital.

More subtle, and less obvious, signs of undiagnosed blood pressure are also highlighted more plainly on the scanner due to the image being much clearer and more magnified. Once again blood pressure checks have been recommended which have resulted in medications, thus lessening the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.

Macula Degeneration

Our practise has many patients with macula degeneration and a detailed scan is the best way of monitoring that for progression. The OCT scan shows the layers under the macula so the optometrist can determine whether the patient needs an immediate referral to the macula clinic for intravitreal injections. The scanner is an invaluable tool for this purpose.

Cataract Surgery – Cystoid Macula Oedema

Similarly, a complication after cataract surgery can be for fluid to collect at the macula called cystoid macula oedema (CMO) which reduces the clarity of vision. Patients have come in for post-cataract checks with vision not as good as expected and the scanner, with its high resolution, has been able to show if there is CMO fluid with the resultant need for medication to reduce the fluid and improve vision.

A Worthwhile Investment

Asked whether the OCT Scanner was an investment worth making Lesley was unequivocal in her response.

“Certainly,” she said, “Not only because I have been able to greatly enhance the patient care facilities I use in my Radcliffe practice but also because as an optometrist it is very satisfying to know that I have improved the declining eyesight of many patients and also picked up potentially serious eye problems in others before it is too late thus saving some patients unpleasant surgery. The OCT Scanner helps me provide the most thorough eye examination possible”.

Lesley Cree Opticians has been an advertiser in the LINK for many years, to subscribe to receive your copy delivered to your home you can subscribe or pick up a copy locally.

The magazine costs 40p a copy or £4 annually and can be purchased from the Coffee Pot in Shelford or the Dry Cleaners in Radcliffe.  To subscribe please contact Mrs Jenny Hudson at Linkdistribution@stmarysradcliffe.org.