Endophthalmitis is an inflammation of the internal eye tissues.

An epiretinal membrane is a thin sheet of fibrous tissue that develops on the surface of the macula and can cause problems with central vision.

Episcleritis is a common condition affecting the episclera, the layer of tissue between the surface membrane (conjunctiva) and the firm white part of the eye (the sclera). In episcleritis, the episclera becomes inflamed and red. It often causes irritation, soreness or a gritty sensation. Episcleritis can be recurrent.

Squint is the common name for ‘strabismus’ which is the medical term used to describe eyes that are not pointing in the same direction. A squint can be convergent (esotropia), divergent (exotropia) or vertical.

The brain normally combines the slightly different images from each to give a 3-D picture of the world. When a squint is present (strabismus) the eyes point in different directions and the brain is no longer able to do this.

Floaters are shapes which people can see drifting across their vision. The exact form of these is very variable – they may appear as small dots or irregularly shaped strands.

In Fuchs’ dystrophy, an inherited problem with the pump layer of cells (those responsible for pumping fluid back into the eye) lining the inner aspect of the cornea (the corneal endothelium), causes the cornea to become waterlogged and cloudy.

Genetic eye disease is a leading cause of blindness among infants, children and adults. It represents the commonest cause of severe visual loss in children and the working age population in the UK.

Moorfields Private is at the forefront of research into glaucoma, and we are always ready to help patients determine the best course of action when faced with this condition.

Including Retinitis Pigmentosa and Stargardt Disease

Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the normally round dome-shaped clear window of the eye (cornea) progressively thins causing a cone-shaped bulge to develop.

Lazy eye (Amblyopia) develops in childhood and results in reduced vision in one eye. Amblyopia happens when one eye is used less than the other from birth to seven years of age, which leads the brain to prefer the better eye. Rarely, as a result of a strong glasses prescription, amblyopia may affect both eyes.

A macular hole is a small hole in the macula which is in the centre of the retina.

Mitochondrial disease is an inherited genetic condition that can be present either at birth or develop later in life. It occurs when the energy-making batteries (mitochondria) within the cells of the body do not work as well as they should.

Neuro-ophthalmology merges the disciplines of ophthalmology (eyes) and neurology (nervous system), focusing on the complex interaction between the eyes, brain and nerves.

An ocular melanoma is the most common type of eye tumour. It develops from cells called melanocytes, which are found in the uvea (the middle layer of tissue around the eyeball that includes the choroid, the ciliary body and the iris). Ocular melanomas usually affect one eye only.

Retinal detachment occurs when the thin lining at the back of your eye begins to pull away from the blood vessels that supply it.

A retinal vein occlusion occurs when a blockage forms in a retinal vein.

A stye is a small abcess (painful collection of pus) on the eyelid and is an infection at the root of an eyelash. It appears as a small painful red lump, often with a yellow spot in the middle, on the outside of the eyelid. Other symptoms include a watery eye and a red eye or eyelid.

Uveitis is inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, which is called the uvea (or uveal tract).

The term “vitreoretinal” refers to any operation to treat eye problems involving the retina, macula, and vitreous fluid. These include retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane and complications related to diabetic retinopathy.

Watering eye is a condition where tears are produced without any obvious explanation. The medical name is epiphora.