OT: Is eye strain like arc-eye?

[T i m]

Hi all,

I recently spent quite a bit of a quiet day on the PC and the next day found my left eye was really sore / watering .. like I'd got something in it .. but not, so from memory a bit like the arc eye I had once. By that evening it was bearable (spent the most of the day with the left eye closed as it was even more uncomfortable in bright light) and by the next day (pretty well) ok again.

I am 50 and am currently only wearing 1.25 'ready spec' type glasses (when indoors, not needed for driving etc) but note that with them my right eye seems to be in focus with all but the tiniest text whilst the left *can* make the same stuff out but not easily. The last eye test I had was about 5 years ago and I was told then I was 'marginal' for glasses and I don't feel much has changed since then (but may well of done of course).

I have some stronger (3.00?) ready specs for fine work / soldering but can't walk about in them without feeling giddy ;-)

So, the missus is on at me to 'see someone about them' but who to go to. I've not had much contact / faith in Doctors other than for referrals to specialists so do I just wander into an opticians and see what they say or should I still go through my local GP?

All the best and thanks for your time ..

T i m

p.s. I suffered with some macular distortion on my left eye a few years ago so that eye may be a bit down on spec anyway.

[Oh dear]

Your GP would just refer you to an optician anyway unless they had a particular interest in ophthalmology. Or to an eye clinic which would probably take months to get an appointment. Personally I would just phone the optician and explain to them what's up and see if they can see you relatively soon. I recently had an infection in one of my eyes where any kind of light made it painful and water. I just presented myself to A&E where they directed me to the eye clinic there and then.

OD

[Stuart B]

Assuning that your post is not a Troll then my answer is

FFS.Get yourself to your optician.....

Stuart

[T i m]

It's not?

Ok ..

I was just trying to check out the options before wasting time (say) making an appointment with the doctor only to be referred to the (an?) optician?

Never having been in an opticians in my life (other than for the eye test and to buy ready specs) I didn't know the routine .. you know, being sold a pair of glasses for 200 quid when I could have got them free via another track etc?

As the issue seemed to go away when I avoided looking at a PC screen for prolonged periods I felt it wasn't a virus / infection etc?

So, does one just walk into 'an' optician (I believe we have a Spec Savers locally are they 'ok'?) or do you have to phone for an appointment etc?

All the best ..

T i m

[T i m]

Ok ..

Great ;-(

Ok, thanks.

Result. And what did they do for you may I ask?

All the best ..

T i m

[tony sayer]

In article , T i m writes

Being of similar age.. I'd seriously recommend you to see a good optician and if need be get more then one pair of specs made like I've done i.e. one for the motah and one for staring at the 'puter screen!.

At our delicate old age the eye can't focus as well or as much, as it did. This might be the cause of the symptoms you describe but for fecks sake don't mess with your sight!.

Have words with your doc and see an optician but either way don't let it go on unchecked!. I too have one eye different from the other and the prescription lens for the specs will take this into account.

And be thankful that the missus still cares for U even if that comes across as nagging;))

[tony sayer]

In article , T i m writes

Well I've just forked out 400 odd for a couple of pairs and yes I suppose I could have got 'em cheaper but what price is your eyesight?....

Come on now ,pick up the fone or get 'er indoors to arrange!..

And its not a DIY subject;!...

[T i m]

Well indeed, but I was just trying to get some feedback re what I might have suffered (as it doesn't hurt now) before I go and get fleeced for something I might be able to resolve other ways (like a different pair of ready specs etc).

Funnily enough, our 16yr old went for a checkup the other day and she insisted she went with her not me as I'd likely recommend the cheapest frames etc! (do they still do the pink National Health ones and do they come with a free repair elastoplast) ;-)

She did say she would come with me to make sure I chose some that looked ok and fitted me properly (she's always commenting on the fact that these ready specs don't fit me but I can't even tell I'm wearing them)?

And hence why I put OT .. and I wasn't sure if my Doctor would know what welders arc-eye felt like (many here might)! ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

[T i m]

Hmm, all that walking about with an opticians window display in yer pocket was something I wasn't looking forward to (excuse the pun), not because of the cost or vanity particularly but just because I know how clumsy / careless / forgetful with such things (and how many times these 6 quid ready specs have hit the floor) ;-(

Indeed, I wasn't going to try to make my own glasses (d-i-y'er or not!) ;-)

Ok, will do (promise).

I know (bless her), she just knows what I'm like with such things .. 'typical bloke' etc ...

All the best ..

T i m.

p.s. I've just stripped and re-built a little Libretto 70CT Laptop (VHS tape sized) (dead CMOS battery) using just these 1.25 x ReadySpecs with no issues with my eyes at all ..?

[Cicero]

================================ My local eye hospital (direct contact - no doctor contact) gave me 'Zovirax' (the prescription version) for a virus infection and on a second occasion I was given eye-drops for an infection caused by an abrasion. Both worked very well although it took a couple of weeks of constant treatment.

Follow the advice give by others here and go to any optician. The test is a standard price (pretty sure - free at a certain age) and you're at liberty to take your prescription to any supplier to get the best price for the actual glasses.

The test will also show up any impending problems such as diabetes so well worth the money.

I've just been looking at this place because I need a couple of pairs of glasses to replace those I've broken. It might give you some ideas about reducing costs:

[T i m]

Ok, thanks. I did think of some Optrex thinking it might have been a bit of grit from my new (wet / dry) grinding wheel but as it seemed like with VDU use I guessed it might be just 'strain'?

Ah, that's good to know. I could get my mate to have them done for next to nothing the next time he goes out to Goa. ;-)

Agreed.

All the best ..

T i m

[Oh dear]

They diagnosed marginal keratitis and gave me eye ointment and drops. These literally took the discomfort away instantly. I was since told by my optician that if I had presented myself there, they would have done their best to see me but if not would have referred me to the local eye infirmary where I would have been seen there and then as it is just an A&E for eyes!

[dennis]

Go and see an optician. Its painless and is infinitely better than going blind.

[T i m]

A nice feeling I expect ;-)

Times are a changing then. It wasn't many years ago it was Moorfields or nothing?

Ok, well glad you are sorted ok now.

All the best ..

T i m

[T i m]

Ok Mum .. appointment booked for Wednesday (earliest slot).

All the best and thanks ..

T i m

[Owain]

You walk past them all and see which one has the prettiest receptionist. Then you say you have opthalmophobia and can she hold your hand throughout the test please.

Owain

[Owain]

That's what those specs-onna-string are for.

Cute. Running Linux?

Owain

[John Rumm]

Na, long since been a deregulated industry ;-)

Sprogs get a NHS voucher worth a certain amount (actual amount depending on the complexity of the prescription) which is then used to buy (or part fund) purchase of the glasses.

[manatbandq]

If there's any family history of glaucoma, tell them, and you'll get free eye tests every 12 months. No checking, no paperwork, just a simple verbal claim.

Do you need to use a PC in your employment? Your employer may pick up some of the cost of spectacles.

MBQ

[T i m]

Ah ..

Ok, thanks .. and I see from the SpecSavers TV ad I can get 30% discount from them when I'm 60 .. great .. ;-(

Just spoke to my mate who holidays in Goa .. 30 quid for a basic pair and 80 for some with fancy frames. Not worth the trip just to get glasses made up of course ...

All the best ..

T i m