Conditions we Treat

About Glaucoma

Glaucoma often deemed the “silent thief of sight,” is a group of eye conditions in which elevated eye pressure (intraocular pressure) gradually damages the optic nerve, a vital link that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain.

The eye produces a nourishing fluid called aqueous humour. This fluid circulates around the eye’s tissues and drains through outflow channels. ‘Normal’ Eye pressure is when the amount of fluid produced is balanced by the amount of fluid draining away. If the fluid in the eyes is not ‘balanced, the pressure inside the eye rises, which can lead to glaucoma and would require treatment by a glaucoma specialist.

There are two main types of glaucoma:

• Open-Angle Glaucoma: This type progresses slowly and is often asymptomatic until its later stages
• Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This type develops rapidly, causing sudden eye pain, nausea, and blurred vision.

About Squint (Strabismus)

A squint, medically known as strabismus, is a condition where the eyes are misaligned and do not look in the same direction. One eye may turn inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards while the other remains focused. This misalignment affects both children and adults, though its causes and implications may differ depending on age.

In children, a squint often develops due to an imbalance in the muscles controlling the eyes, leading to poor coordination between them. If left untreated, it can cause amblyopia, or “lazy eye,” where the brain begins to favour one eye, potentially impairing vision in the affected eye. Early detection, including glasses, eye patches, or surgery, is crucial for successful treatment.

In adults, strabismus can arise from trauma, neurological conditions, or illnesses like stroke or diabetes. It may cause double vision, headaches, or eye strain, affecting daily activities and quality of life. Treatment options include corrective lenses, vision therapy, or surgery, depending on the underlying cause.

Effective management of squint is vital for improving visual function and overall eye health in children and adults.

At Moorfields Eye Hospitals UAE, our highly qualified adult and paediatric squint surgeons have extensive experience diagnosing and treating all forms of squint. 

About Cataract

A cataract is a condition where the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, hindering the transmission of light rays to the retina, leading to blurred, hazy vision or, in severe instances, loss of sight. Cataracts can make everyday activities like reading, driving, or seeing faces dull or less colourful.

Although commonly associated with ageing, cataracts can also occur due to other factors. However, this condition can be effectively managed and even completely resolved with the right care from a cataract specialist.

About Adult Glaucoma

The eye produces a nourishing fluid called the aqueous humour. This fluid circulates around the tissues of the eye and drains away through outflow channels. ‘Normal’ Eye pressure is when the amount of fluid produced is balanced by the amount of fluid draining away. If the fluid in the eyes is not ‘balanced’ then the pressure inside the eye rises and this can lead to a glaucoma.

Glaucoma, if left untreated, causes damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye, ultimately resulting in loss of vision.

Adult squint, or strabismus, occurs when the eyes do not align properly. Although often associated with children, it affects about 4% of adults and can be caused by a range of factors.

In adults with a squint, one eye looks straight while the other may drift inwards, outwards, upwards, or downwards, leading to symptoms such as double vision, eye strain, headaches, reduced depth perception, and blurred vision. The visible misalignment can also impact social interactions and self-confidence.

Early diagnosis and treatment of adult squint can significantly improve vision and quality of life. At Moorfields Eye Hospitals Dubai and Abu Dhabi, our expert team uses advanced techniques to effectively diagnose and treat adult squint.

About Adult cataract

A cataract is a condition where the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, reducing the amount of light that reaches the retina. This clouding can result in blurred or hazy vision and, in more severe cases, lead to vision impairment or loss of sight. People with cataracts often find that colours appear less vibrant, and everyday activities like reading, driving, or recognising faces become more difficult. Cataracts typically develop slowly over time, and the early stages might not be noticeable until vision problems begin to interfere with daily life.

About Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

The central part of the retina (at the back of the eye) is called the macula and it has an important function as it controls the quality and sharpness of the central part of our vision.

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the macula resulting in distortion or sometimes loss of central vision (not the peripheral vision) and this can cause problems, when it comes to everyday tasks such as reading and driving.

The good news is that the deterioration of vision usually happens quite slowly.

However, there are two types of macular degeneration – ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ – and what is known as the ‘wet’ form results in a sudden loss of central vision, which is a medical emergency and urgent treatment is needed.

Macula

The macula is a small, extremely important area at the centre of the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye and is responsible for seeing fine details clearly. With AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration), you lose the ability to see fine details and lose the ability to distinguish details. AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) affects only the central vision. Side and peripheral vision usually remains normal.  For example, people with AMD gradually lose the ability to recognise people’s faces.

About Amblyopia

Amblyopia, also known as a ‘lazy eye’, is a childhood condition where a child’s eyesight does not develop in the way it should. The problem is usually just in one eye but can sometimes affect both. If a child has weaker vision in one eye, the brain prefers to use the stronger eye and therefore the visual pathway is not stimulated enough and amblyopia develops.

About

Astigmatism is a refractive condition in which the eye’s optical system is incapable of forming a point image for a point object (images are misconstrued).