If you've noticed any of the changes listed below, our specialist Consultant Ophthalmologists can help to identify the cause and decide if you need treatment.

• Seeing dark spots or experiencing double vision
• Seeing shadows or blurriness in your field of vision
• Physical changes to the eye
• Changes in how you see colours

You’ll be treated in our comfortable and modern Eye Unit. Your treatment will be carried out as day surgery, so you’ll be able to go home the same day, although you won’t be able to drive yourself.

Our experienced team will talk you through your recovery following treatment. Depending on your procedure, you may have some mild pain or discomfort which we’ll help you to manage with simple painkillers or eye-drops.

We’ll discuss your aftercare and any follow-up appointments with you before you leave the hospital.

As with your general health, prevention of eye disease is better than cure. Having regular eye tests is crucial and – since technology has improved - eye disease can be detected years before you start to have any visual symptoms.

Keeping your eyes healthy is as important as heart health and ways of preventing disease are similar for both:

• Don’t smoke
• Limit processed foods and foods that contain high levels of sugar and salt
• Have five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and high fibre foods
• Limit alcohol intake
• Take part in regular exercise, including walking
• Attend regular eye checks
• Perform regular eyelid hygiene

Good lid hygiene is crucial to preventing eyelid conditions including blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelid. It should become as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth.

Every morning and evening you should clean your eyelids with warm – not boiling – water and a cotton pad or cotton bud. Medicated lid wipes are also available over the counter and can remove bacteria, pollen and oily debris from your lids.

UV rays are extremely damaging – and not just for the delicate eyelid skin These rays are a key cause of aging around the whole face. They can also cause the development of small skin cancers, particularly around the eye region.

UV damage has also been shown to accelerate the formation of cataracts and cause damage to the retina.

If you’re buying a new pair of sunglasses, look for a sticker that says UV400. This will ensure that your glasses filter out the harmful UVA and UVB rays.

You should also think about the size of the frames. The bigger they are, the better; the more coverage you get, the more you're going to protect the eyelid skin.

There’s no evidence that blue light from phones, laptops and other technology cause harm to your eyes. However, excessive screen use can affect your sleep pattern and sleep hygiene, so it’s best to switch your device off at least two hours before you go to bed.

Excessive screen time can also be bad if you have dry eyes. Looking at a screen for a long period of time reduces the amount of time that you’re blinking, affecting lubrication of your eyes.