Eye health
At Taank, we extend an open invitation to anyone living in Cambridge to drop in for a free no-obligation chat about any eye health concerns, from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to dry eye, to help assess whether a full eye exam is required. Head Optometrist, Anjana Taank, is a specialist in glaucoma treatment and works closely with the Addenbrooke’s Hospital Glaucoma Clinic.
Read our FAQs to find the answers to some of the most commonly asked eye health questions.
Eye Conditions
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What is Age-related Macular Degeneration?
One of the biggest causes of sight loss in the UK and around the world, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs as a result of damage to the macular region of your eye. Peripheral vision usually remains unaffected but finer details in your central line of vision become harder to depict.
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What is Cataracts?
Cataracts develop when protein builds up in the lens of your eye, making it cloudy and preventing the normal movement of light through the lens to the retina. As the lens clouds over, objects appear blurred, hazy or faded in colour. Luckily, cataracts can be treated successfully with surgery.
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What is Hyperopia?
If you can clearly see objects far away but struggle to make out items that are close-up, there's a chance you have hyperopia, that you're long-sighted. It's a refractive eye condition whereby light focuses behind, not on, the retina, but can be treated with lenses or surgery.
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What is Myopia?
Another common eye condition, myopia (short-sightedness) causes objects in the distance to look blurred while your close vision remains unaffected. Symptoms include squinting, eye strain and headaches, but in most cases this condition is easily remedied with glasses or contact lenses.
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What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is caused by damage to your optic nerve, which results in a build-up of fluid and the resulting pressure inside your eye. Typically, you will experience problems with your peripheral (side) vision in one or both eyes. Early detection is vital when treating glaucoma.
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What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia, a common eye condition, occurs when the lens in your eye gets thicker and less flexible over time. A natural part of the aging process, it presents as an inability to focus on objects close to hand, which makes it harder to read or see details clearly in poor light.
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What is Dry Eye?
There's nothing more irritating than gritty, sore eyes, particularly those that are light sensitive and watery. Dry eye has a variety of causes, but you're at higher risk if you wear contacts lenses, are over 50, work in dry environments, or work with screens. A range of treatments are available.
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Safe Screen Use
With electronic devices making up such an important part of our working and home lives it can be hard to avoid staring at screens for long periods. The good news is that a few simple tricks will keep your eyes happy and healthy and help you avoid eye strain and discomfort.