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A Guide for Patients Dry eyes and blepharitis Dry eyes and blepharitis are both common conditions, which often occur together. Dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears, or the tears they do produce aren't of the right quality. Blepharitis occurs due to inflammation of the eyelids, which is often associated with the growth of bacteria. Eyelids become red, and may have a crusty or sticky discharge, more noticeable in the mornings. Although uncomfortable, these conditions are not usually serious and there are things you can do to help. Management of dry eyes It is not uncommon for glaucoma patients to suffer with dry eyes. Symptoms include the feeling of dry, gritty eyes, increased redness, and increased watering. Some patients feel like there is something in their eyes and may experience episodes of blurring. Symptoms usually improve if the eyes are closed and if a preservative-free dry eye drop is applied. Unfortunately, dry eyes can be worsened by the use of eye drops to treat glaucoma. Some sensible advice to reduce the symptoms of dry eyes is set out below: Ensure you are well hydrated by increasing your intake of water and reducing your intake of drinks containing caffeine Reduce your heating, air conditioning and car fan settings Use wrap-around glasses if outside on a windy day, or when driving Stop or reduce contact lens wear Consider flaxseed oil or omega 3 supplement tablets Use a preservative free dry eye drop containing sodium hyaluronate or carmellose, 4-6 times per day (available over the counter) Use a preservative free gel for dry eyes containing carbomer or white soft paraffin, last thing at night before sleeping (available over the counter) Ask your ophthalmologist about switching to a preservative free glaucoma drop Ask your ophthalmologist to consider changing drops that are more likely to cause dry, uncomfortable eyes, such as Lumigan (bimatoprost) and Alphagan (brimonidine), to an alternative If using glaucoma drops, close your eyes after applying the drops and ensure you wipe any excess off your eyelids using a clean damp tissue. This will reduce eyelid irritation In severe cases, asking your ophthalmologist for a short course of steroid and antibiotic eye drops may help. Management of blepharitis Blepharitis is a condition causing inflammation of the eyelid margins. Though not infectious, it is associated with the growth of bacteria, and symptoms may be worsened by the use of glaucoma eye drops. Blepharitis can worsen symptoms of dry eyes. Patients with blepharitis may notice red, crusty or sticky eyelids on waking. Blepharitis is usually a long-standing condition and requires long term changes to manage. Sensible advice includes: Use a heated eye bag/eye mask (available online and from some opticians and pharmacies) 1-2 times a day before cleaning your eyelids Clean your eyelids every morning and evening with your eyes closed, using a clean flannel and warm tap water (this does not need to be boiled). Massage the lids towards the lid margins (the top eyelid down and the bottom eyelid up) Some people advocate using a gentle cleaner such as baby shampoo, or a pre-made wipe containing a cleaning agent, but the evidence is limited and it is probably better to use warm water alone If using glaucoma drops, close your eyes after applying the drops and ensure you wipe any excess off your eyelids using a clean damp tissue. This will reduce eyelid irritation Ask your ophthalmologist whether switching to a preservative free glaucoma drop would help Ask your ophthalmologist to consider changing drops that are more likely to cause dry, uncomfortable eyes, such as Lumigan (bimatoprost) and Alphagan (brimonidine), to an alternative Ask your ophthalmologist whether you would benefit from a course of oral antibiotics such as doxycycline or azithromycin In severe cases, asking your ophthalmologist for a short course of steroid and antibiotic eye drops may help. For a video explaining lid cleaning techniques in more detail please see below:

Mr Alex Baneke MA (Oxon) MBBS FRCOphth Consultant eye surgeon specialising in the treatment of glaucoma and cataract NHS & Private Care Southend University Hospital, Southend Private Hospital & Orsett Hospital CONTACT FOR A CONSULTATION Welcome. Sharing expertise, guarding your vision. Welcome to the website of Mr Alex Baneke, an Ophthalmic Surgeon and Doctor based in Essex specialising in the treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. Whether you're seeking expert guidance on managing your condition, understanding medication, or exploring the latest treatment options, this site is your comprehensive resource. Discover a wealth of information tailored to help you navigate the journey towards better eye health with confidence and clarity. EXPLORE: PATIENT INFORMATION Expert care Mr Baneke trained at the world-leading Moorfields Eye Hospital. He now runs fellowships to train other eye surgeons in the management of glaucoma and cataract surgery. His research into glaucoma and other conditions has been published internationally. Specialist in complex surgery Mr Baneke is a specialist in managing complex glaucoma and is often referred patients in whom previous surgery has failed. He uses tried and tested surgical techniques with the strongest evidence base behind them. Read More about Mr Baneke

A Guide for Patients Understanding Glaucoma: An Introduction Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerves, leading to a gradual reduction in your field of vision. Since this damage usually happens slowly, most people with glaucoma don’t realise there’s a problem until they’ve already lost a significant amount of vision. The good news is that with proper treatment, most patients with glaucoma do not go blind. Glaucoma is a manageable condition with early detection and appropriate treatment. By lowering eye pressure through eye drops, laser treatment, or surgery, it’s possible to slow the progression of the disease and protect your vision. Always discuss with your eye specialist which treatment options are best suited for your specific needs. What Causes Glaucoma? The main risk factors for glaucoma are increased eye pressure and age. The goal of treatment is to reduce eye pressure, which can significantly slow down the progression of the disease. Read More about Risk Factors and Prevention Advanced Treatment Options For more advanced glaucoma, surgical options may be necessary. These include: Trabeculectomy: A traditional surgical procedure that helps to lower eye pressure by creating a new drainage pathway for the eye fluid. Preserflo™ : A newer surgical option that also helps to reduce eye pressure with fewer potential complications than traditional surgery. Tube Surgery: This involves placing a small tube in the eye to help drain fluid and lower eye pressure. Additionally, there are various devices available under the category of "Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery" (MIGS) , such as the Miniject™. These devices generally cause fewer complications than more traditional surgeries, but it’s important to note that many of them still lack strong evidence to fully support their long-term effectiveness. Read More How is Glaucoma Treated? Treatment for glaucoma typically begins with eye drops or laser therapy. Eye Drops: The most commonly prescribed eye drop in the UK is latanoprost. This medication reduces eye pressure by around 30% in most patients by increasing the flow of fluid out of the anterior chamber of the eye. Latanoprost is generally well tolerated, but it can cause some side effects such as slight redness, stinging, and increased eyelash growth. Laser Treatment: For initial laser treatment, Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a safe and effective option for people with open-angle glaucoma. SLT works in about 70-80% of patients and can help control eye pressure for up to 5 years, potentially avoiding the need for eye drops. Read More TYPES OF GLAUCOMA AVAILABLE TREATMENTS CONTACT TO BOOK

A Guide for Patients Understanding Cataracts Cataracts are a common eye condition that can make your vision cloudy and blurry, much like looking through a foggy window. As we age, the proteins in our eye’s natural lens can start to change, leading to the formation of cataracts. If you’ve noticed your vision becoming less clear, particularly in low light or when driving at night, it might be due to cataracts. The good news is that cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure that can restore clear vision. What Exactly is a Cataract? A cataract happens when the normally clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. The word "cataract" actually comes from the Latin word for waterfall, "cataracta," because the cloudiness can resemble the appearance of water cascading down. Cataracts typically develop slowly over time, so you might not notice them at first. As they progress, you may find it harder to see clearly, especially in low light or when facing bright lights, such as headlights at night. Colours might appear duller, and you might struggle to distinguish contrasts as well as you used to. Most cataracts are simply a part of getting older, and they’re not usually linked to other diseases. However, certain factors can cause cataracts to develop earlier in life, such as diabetes, eye injuries, or the use of steroid eye drops. NHS CATARACT INFORMATION How is Cataract Surgery Performed? Cataract surgery is a procedure that involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. The most common technique used today is called “phacoemulsification.” During the surgery, tiny incisions are made in the eye, and a small probe is used to break up the cloudy lens into smaller pieces. Once the cloudy lens is removed, it’s replaced with a clear plastic lens that is carefully chosen to focus light correctly onto your retina, restoring clear vision. More about cataract surgery More about different lenses

Contact Us Contact us to arrange a private consultation: 07398 997 592 / 01702 667 819 info@glaucomatreatment-ab.co.uk NHS referrals via your GP or optician Southend University Hospital 01702 435 555 Consulting rooms: Southend Private Hospital 15-17 Fairfax Drive Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 9AG 01702 667 819 Orsett Hospital, Rowley Road, Orsett, Grays RM16 3EU 01268 524 900

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< Back This is a Title 01 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Previous Next

< Back This is a Title 03 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Previous Next

< Back This is a Title 02 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Previous Next