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Safety glasses for the workshop

I have a small business making garden furniture out of reclaimed bits of metal in my workshop. I'm also shortsighted. But when you are working in the workshop, it's important that you can see exactly what you are doing, which is why I have been searching for prescription safety glasses. Although my normal glasses are good for most tasks, safety glasses can withstand severe forces without shattering and feels just like wearing my normal glasses. This blog has some different models of safety glasses compared for different workshop conditions, as well as some options for getting yourself fitted for prescription safety glasses.

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Safety glasses for the workshop

Understanding Vitreomacular Traction

by Rachel Alexander

Your eye has a layer of vitreous gel between the lens and the retina and it's contained within a membrane called the cortex. The cortex is connected to the retina, which is situated at the back of your eye. Vitreomacular traction is an eye condition that's characterised by the partial detachment of the cortex from the retina, which can put pressure on the retina and cause damage to the back of the eye. It's not always possible to determine why someone develops this condition, but it occurs most commonly in older people due to the normal ageing process causing changes to the protein molecules in the eye, which can lead to degeneration of the vitreous gel. Additionally, those with a pre-existing eye condition may be more susceptible to developing vitreomacular traction. Here's an overview of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment approach for this condition:  

Symptoms

Common symptoms of vitreomacular traction include blurred vision and seeing floaters or flashes out of the corner of your eye. Objects may also appear smaller than they actually are and you may experience a gradual decline in your vision. Some people also experience eye strain and sensitivity to light.

Diagnosis And Treatment Approach

Vitreomacular traction is often diagnosed when the symptoms lead to the sufferer making an appointment with their optometrist for an eye test. The optometrist will use a slit lamp to magnify the back of the eye, including the retina, and will be able to see if the cortex is pulling away from the retina. It may be necessary for the optometrist to refer you to an ophthalmologist for further diagnostic imaging, such as optical coherence tomography, which involves the use of strong light to capture cross-sectional images of your eye. This type of imaging allows the ophthalmologist to determine the severity of damage to the retina and surrounding tissue.

Treatment for vitreomacular traction involves having eye surgery to completely sever the cortex from the retina. This relieves the pressure on the retina caused by the partially detached cortex pulling on it. At the same time, your surgeon will use a fine laser to remove any scar tissue that has developed in the retina, which should resolve the disturbances to your vision. If the vitreous gel has degraded, your surgeon may also insert a gas bubble into the cortex to add buoyancy and support healing. You will have follow-up appointments with your ophthalmologist and you will be offered more frequent eye test appointments with your optometrist to ensure the retina heals well and no further problems develop.

If you have symptoms associated with vitreomacular traction, schedule an appointment with an eye surgeon in your area as soon as possible.

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