Other Eye Conditions

Dry Eye Syndrome

  • A very common condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears and / or the tears evaporate too quickly.

    • Grittiness or burning sensation

    • Foreign body sensation

    • Eye redness

    • Blurred or fluctuating vision

    • Excess watering

  • Treatment can include a combination of the options below.

    • Artificial tears

    • Warm compresses and lid hygiene

    • Prescription medications (in some cases)

    • Punctal plugs

    • Intense Pulse Light (IPL)

Chalazion (Eyelid Lump)

  • A chalazion is a common lump on the eyelid caused by a blocked oil gland. It can develop slowly and may cause swelling or a visible bump on the upper or lower eyelid. While usually not serious, a chalazion can sometimes become persistent or affect vision if large and may become infected requiring oral or intravenous antibiotics.

    • Symptoms

      • A painless lump on the eyelid

      • Mild swelling or redness

      • Tenderness (especially early on) or if infected

      • Blurred vision (if the lump presses on the eye)

      • Heaviness of the eyelid

  • Treatment can include a combination of the options below.

    Warm Compresses

    • This first line treatment helps to un-block the gland.

    • Apply a warm compress to the eyelid for 10–15 minutes, 3–4 times daily

    • Gently massage the eyelid afterward

    • Many chalazia improve within a few weeks with this treatment alone.

    ‍ Eyelid Hygiene

    • Clean eyelids with diluted baby shampoo or lid wipes

    • Helps prevent recurrence

    Medications that may be required

    • Antibiotic ointment

    • Anti-inflammatory treatment in some cases

    • Oral antibiotics if develops a bacterial infection

    Minor Procedure

    If the chalazion persists:

    • A small procedure can be performed to drain the lump

    • This is performed under local anaesthetic

    • Recovery may require some time off work or school and expect the eyelid to be bruised and/or swollen for at least a few days post drainage

  • You should seek review if:

    • The lump persists for more than 6 weeks

    • It is getting larger

    • It affects your vision

    • There is significant redness or pain

    • Chalazia keep recurring

    • Regular eyelid hygiene

    • Warm compresses if prone to recurrence

    • Managing underlying conditions like blepharitis

Medication Toxicity Monitoring

  • Certain medications can cause gradual, painless changes in vision. These changes may be reversible if detected early, but can become permanent if not identified in time.

    Regular eye examinations allow us to:

    • Detect early signs of toxicity

    • Prevent permanent vision loss

    • Provide reports to your GP or specialist

    • Ensure safe continuation of essential medications

  • This depends on:

    • The medication you are taking

    • The dose and duration

    • Your individual risk factors

    General guide:

    • Baseline test when starting medication

    • Annual monitoring

    Your ophthalmologist will advise a personalised schedule.

  • Many patients have no early symptoms, but you should seek review if you notice:

    • Blurred or distorted vision

    • Difficulty reading

    • Changes in colour vision

    • Missing or dark spots in central vision

    Important Information

    • Do not stop your medication without consulting your prescribing doctor

    • Eye monitoring is a precaution to keep your treatment safe

    • Early detection is key to preventing vision loss

  • Monitoring typically includes a combination of advanced, non-invasive tests and clinical

    exam:

    • OCT (optical coherence tomography)

    • Humphrey Visual Field (HVF)

    • Retinal photography and autofluorescence (Optos)

Common Medications Requiring Monitoring

  • Used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

    Can affect the retina (macular toxicity), potentially leading to permanent vision changes.

  • Used for many inflammatory conditions.

    Risk:

    • Increased eye pressure (glaucoma)

    • Cataract formation

    • ‍ Increased risk of infection

  • Used in breast cancer treatment.

    May cause retinal changes (retinopathy) affecting central vision.