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Reading glass for the pocket

I don't need glasses all the time, but as I'm getting older I do find it harder read fine print. I like to carry reading glasses so that I don't get stuck when I'm out and about, but I don't want to always carry a bulky glasses case. I like to try and find reading glasses that are compact and can easily be carried in the pocket and are pretty hardy so they don't get too scratched up. This blog is all about affordable options for pocket reading glasses to keep you able to read all those tiny fonts and prints.

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Reading glass for the pocket

Eye Care: Could You Have Keratitis?

by Peetu Huotari

Keratitis affects the cornea and is a relatively common eye condition, particularly in those who wear contact lenses. The cornea is the protective film layer at the front of the eye. When it develops a scratch or small abrasion, bacteria can cause an infection to take hold. Scratches can occur from rubbing your eye too hard, trauma or putting contacts in without proper care. Keratitis responds well to treatment when addressed early, but if you ignore keratitis you could experience permanent sight damage. Read on to learn about the signs of keratitis and how it's treated.

Signs Of Keratitis

Keratitis causes localised inflammation and you may feel like you have grit in your eye. The affected eye will be watery and may be sensitive to light. If these early signs of keratitis are ignored, you will begin to experience blurred vision and you may also notice a decrease in your peripheral vision. Additionally, ongoing inflammation of the cornea can cause scar tissue to develop, which can impact your vision by altering the angle at which light enters the front of your eye.

Treating Keratitis

Keratitis can be diagnosed quickly by your optometrist. They will use a slit lamp as part of your eye exam, and this will allow them to see magnified images of your cornea. If they identify an abrasion or any signs of inflammation, they will arrange for a corneal swab to be taken and analysed for the presence of bacteria.

Once keratitis has been confirmed, a treatment plan will be made based on how severe the inflammation is. Treatment may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, antibiotics or eye drop to wash out the bacteria from your eye. Steroids may be required to support healing if the abrasion is particularly bad, and steroids can reduce the risk of car tissue developing in some cases. Your optometrist may also recommend you stop wearing contact lenses for a period of time, or they may suggest a different type of contacts. If there is lasting damage to your vision, your lens prescription may need to be changed, and your optometrist will follow-up with you to ensure you have the right prescription after the keratitis has been resolved.

Addressing the signs of keratitis as soon as they appear can make the treatment process shorter and more effective. If you're experiencing eye irritation or have any concerns about how your contact lenses feel, make an appointment with your optometrist. An optometrist can provide further information. 

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