I had an eye test in August 2011 and my prescription was SPH -0.50 Right and -0.25 Left (the previous year I was -0.25 in both eyes). I was told I would only have to wear the glasses as and when I felt I needed them, but that eventually I would need to wear them all the time. Recently I have been experiencing headaches when I do not wear my glasses, however, I don’t seem to experience a dramatic loss in clarity when without them.

Would you suggest I begin to wear them all the time, or get another eye test done?

I am 40 years old and have only needed glasses over the past two years.

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Your prescription is slight, and will improve your distance vision very slightly. From a vision point of view, I would only wear them if you felt they were necessary. However, if they relieve your headaches, I would wear them as much as you need in order to prevent or relieve them. At your age it is not usual to go more short sighted. In fact the opposite usually happens with age, and you may go more longsighted and hence your prescription could eventually reduce. You will, again for age reasons, need glasses eventually for reading. You should have another eye test when you are next due, or if you feel your eyes are changing.

I have three spots in my left eye, and both of the eyes are very red. I have had red eyes since last week but recently I have just got three little white spots on my left eye. What does that mean?

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If the spots are on the cornea (the clear tissue covering the coloured part of your eye) this would indicate an infection such as corneal ulcers, and should be looked at as soon as possible. You should try and see an optometrist tomorrow, or otherwise see you GP.

My five year old has had been referred to hospital after having his eyes tested with drops in, they think he is plus ten? Is there any likelihood this could improve with age? He is going to start on a lower prescription initially. I would appreciate any more information or advice.

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Being longsighted means that his eye ball is too small and light is focused behind the retina rather than on it. It is normal to be a little long sighted as a child, because as you grow the eye grows as well, and by late teens it reduces to about zero in those people that don’t need glasses. It is normal to be about +0.50 to +1.00, or maybe a little more at his age without needing glasses. If your child is +10.00 as you can imagine this is very high and needs correcting otherwise he will develop amblyopia (reduced vision) and possibly a squint, as well as not being able to focus, particularly at near. This degree of prescription is almost certainly genetic. His eye may grow a little as he gets older, but there is very little likelihood that it would make any significant difference to his prescription.

I am thinking of moving out to the USA and am wondering if I would be able to purchase a years worth of my monthly disposable contact lenses before moving out there (because there is no Specsavers in the US). Would I need to have an eye test before I can purchase 12 months of lenses? Is it even possible to purchase that amount? I am on a direct debit scheme where I get three months worth of lenses without solution.

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There should be no problem. You should have a contact lens checkup to make sure everything is healthy and normal, and then sort out the 12 months supply in the store. The best way may be to cancel the direct debit and pay upfront for the lenses, but they will sort it out for you.

I took a hard blow to the head back in March and since then I’ve been getting lots of headpains. I went to see my GP who told me not to worry about it as she believed they are tension headaches. However around the same time I started to see many floaters in my right eye. I made an appointment with my local optometrist last week (08/05/2012) and she dilated my pupils and had a look at my eye. She said there were no obvious signs of any tears but she could see lots of floaters in my right eye. She has referred me to an eye specialist (through my GP) for a second opinion, but I’ve still not had an appointment letter through and am worried as the letter said the referral was urgent and should be done within 2-3 days.
My GP has told me the referral has been sent to the hospital.

My symptoms haven’t increased over the last week as such, but I now sometimes feel a slight irritation in my eyes, though hard to describe it. It’s not painful or anything, just more annoying. I’m not sure if I should wait for the referral appointment letter to come through or do I go and see my optometrist again, as I feel I maybe panicking about nothing – then again it could be something?

PS: I’m 31 years old and wear prescription glasses as I am short sighted. I also work in I.T. so sit in front of a computer most of the day and have been told my eyes are a little dry.

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The fact that your symptoms have not increased since the eye test is a good sign. Your symptoms are very common, and almost always of no significance, but very occassionly can be the result of a tear or hole in the retina, which could lead to further problems like retinal detachement. A blow to the head could also (rarely) cause this problem. The optometrist has referred you as a precaution, and unfortunately you are up against the waiting lists. A physical eye irritation will not be an indication of a retinal problem. The signs to be aware of are if you notice any further rush of floaters, zig zag or flashing lights, or a shadow in your peripheral vision. Then you should seek further help urgently. I would think the appointment should come through soon, but it would do no harm to ask your optician to have another look at you just in case.

I have been wearing monthly disposable lens for around 6 months now and for the last week, my left eye is irritated when I wear my lens and also feels itchy. I have worn glasses for the last few days and the eye is fine, however, I have tried my lens again today and the eye is irritated again and itchy. I have made sure the lens is the right way around and been meticulous with washing them. I have had no problems with the right eye. Do you think this is a problem with the lens themselves as I have another pair I could try, or is it an eye problem?

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The first thing to do is definitely try another lens. Often there can be small tears in the lens that are not visible to the naked eye, but can cause irritation as soon as you insert it. You eye itself is likely to be ok as long as it is not red or sore.

I have a yellow/pink spot on both of my scleras which are running inwards towards my iris. Is this something that needs urgent attention?

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The likelihood is that this is either pinguecula or ptrygium which are thickening of the conjunctival tissue that usually appears on the nasal side of the sclera. It is extremely common and certainly does not require urgent attention (unless you have pain or a lot of redness). You can look up both these conditions by entering these words into the search box on Ask the Optician.

For a few days now I’ve had something in my eye. My belief is that it is a rogue eyelash which has fallen into my eye. I have tried using water to wash it out to no avail, so I was wondering if I could get your opinion.

The eye is now very red and irritating – I can’t stand it. So far I’ve resisted the urge to rub it, but I can barely keep my eye open for more than two seconds without blinking. It’s painful and constantly watering. My guess is that this is the eye’s way of trying to clear the object from the surface or where ever it may be but it’s driving me insane. Thanks for your help.

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I doubt it is an eyelash, and is more likely to be an infection of the cornea, which can feel like a foreign body in the eye. Any pain or severe irritation should not be neglected and you should get it looked at as soon as possible. Your optician has the equipment to examine the front of your eye in great detail and should be able to determine exactly what it is. Failing that you should see your GP. But get it looked at today if possible.

I have just picked up my tailor made Specsavers varifocals. I understand that they take some getting used to but was just wondering a couple of things. The field of vision is quite narrow. Are these lenses the free form ones I have read about?

When reading a page of text I can focus on a word in the centre and perhaps one or two words either side. The majority of the page is blurry. Is this normal i.e. only about five words in focus. Thus to read a book I am swinging my head from side to side.

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Tailor made varifocals are the free form design. It may well take you a little time to get used to them. The field of vision will appear narrow at first, but as you adapt this usually becomes much less noticeable and not a problem. Provided you can get on with them otherwise, I would give it about three weeks to get used to them, and then return to the practice if you are still struggling.

I use the Skinceuticals range to cleanse my skin: (please see link: http://www.skinceuticals.co.uk/blemish_age_cleansing_gel.html).
I got some in my eye a few day ago, I splashed water into it to clean it several times but, it did not seem to help, it’s red and painful to touch. I have now used optrex to clean it but it seems to be getting worse as I now have a headache and my eye is still red and painful.
Can you please advise as to what measures I should take to clear my eyes of any residue that is still there?

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I doubt if there is any of the product in your eye after this time, so I think the redness and pain will probably be some superficial damage on the cornea. Check your vision in this eye on its own, and if it clear, then that is a good sign. You need to have your eye examined as soon as possible before it gets any worse. Either see your optician if you can, and they will recommend treatment or referral if indicated, or see you GP.