Dr Zine Housseini

Dr Zine Housseini Trusted Ophthalmology expertise: eye care, surgeries and treatments.

Retinal vein occlusion occurs when one of the veins draining blood from the retina becomes blocked. The result is a buil...
22/06/2026

Retinal vein occlusion occurs when one of the veins draining blood from the retina becomes blocked. The result is a build-up of pressure, leakage of fluid, and in some cases haemorrhage within the retinal layers — leading to sudden, often painless, loss of vision in part or all of one eye.

It tends to occur alongside systemic risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. If you experience retinal vein occlusion, your ophthalmologist will work alongside your GP to assess and address these underlying factors.

There are two main forms: branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), affecting part of the visual field, and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), which affects the entire retina and can cause more severe vision loss.

Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are now the primary treatment for macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion — with excellent evidence for preserving and recovering vision when treatment is initiated promptly.

If you experience sudden unexplained visual change in one eye — even without pain — please seek ophthalmological assessment the same day.

There is a culture in medicine — sometimes unspoken — that seeking a second opinion implies a lack of trust in the first...
19/06/2026

There is a culture in medicine — sometimes unspoken — that seeking a second opinion implies a lack of trust in the first clinician. I want to directly challenge that.

A second opinion is not a rejection of your surgeon's recommendation. It is an informed patient exercising appropriate diligence before consenting to a procedure on a sensitive and irreplaceable organ.

In my own practice, I regularly see patients who have been advised to have cataract surgery, laser treatment, or retinal intervention elsewhere and want independent confirmation. I approach every one of those consultations the same way: thorough examination, honest findings, and a clear explanation of what I see — and why I would or would not recommend proceeding.

Sometimes I agree with the original recommendation entirely. Sometimes I suggest a different approach or timeline. Occasionally I find that surgery is not yet indicated at all.

If something feels unresolved after being advised to have eye surgery — whether the diagnosis, the recommended procedure, or simply a lack of thorough explanation — a second opinion is not only acceptable. It is sensible.

Almost everyone experiences eye floaters at some point — those small dots, threads, or cobweb-like shapes that drift acr...
17/06/2026

Almost everyone experiences eye floaters at some point — those small dots, threads, or cobweb-like shapes that drift across your vision, particularly against a bright background.

In most cases, floaters are a normal consequence of age-related changes in the vitreous gel. As the gel liquefies over time, microscopic fibres clump together and cast shadows on the retina — a process known as posterior vitreous detachment.

However, certain changes in floaters should prompt same-day assessment with an ophthalmologist:

— A sudden and significant increase in floaters
— New floaters accompanied by flashes of light
— A shadow or curtain appearing in peripheral or central vision
— Any sudden change following eye trauma

These can indicate a retinal tear or retinal detachment — a genuine ocular emergency.

If your floaters are longstanding, stable, and unaccompanied by other symptoms, they are almost certainly benign. If they are new, sudden, or changing — please do not wait for a routine appointment.

One of the most important steps in a laser eye surgery assessment is corneal topography and tomography — a detailed thre...
15/06/2026

One of the most important steps in a laser eye surgery assessment is corneal topography and tomography — a detailed three-dimensional map of the cornea's shape, curvature, and thickness.

This is not a routine eye test. It is a sophisticated diagnostic scan measuring thousands of data points across the corneal surface, providing a complete picture of its architecture.

Laser eye surgery works by precisely removing corneal tissue to reshape the eye's focusing power. The safety and accuracy of that process depends entirely on the cornea having adequate thickness, regular curvature, and no underlying structural irregularities.

Corneal mapping is what identifies keratoconus — a progressive corneal thinning condition — which is a contraindication to standard laser surgery. Without this mapping, laser surgery in a predisposed cornea carries serious risks. With it, the decision to proceed is made on solid clinical ground.

This is one of the reasons why a thorough pre-operative assessment with a qualified refractive surgeon matters far more than price comparison.

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on near objects. It affects virtually everyone from their m...
12/06/2026

Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on near objects. It affects virtually everyone from their mid-forties onward — not because of disease, but because the natural lens loses its flexibility over time.

For patients who want freedom from reading glasses, there are two main surgical routes.

Laser vision correction can be tailored in some patients to achieve monovision — one eye corrected for distance, the other for near. A contact lens trial is always recommended before committing to this surgically.

Refractive Lens Exchange is often the more comprehensive solution. The natural lens is removed and replaced with a premium multifocal or EDOF intraocular lens, providing a range of focus for distance, intermediate, and near vision without glasses in suitable candidates.

An additional benefit: once the natural lens has been replaced, cataracts cannot develop in that eye in future.

Reading glasses are a management tool — not an inevitability for those who would prefer a surgical alternative. A thorough assessment will determine whether you are a suitable candidate.

A macular hole is a small, full-thickness break in the macula — the central area of the retina responsible for sharp, de...
10/06/2026

A macular hole is a small, full-thickness break in the macula — the central area of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision.

It typically develops as the vitreous gel inside the eye shrinks and pulls away from the retina with age, sometimes creating traction that results in a hole. The result is a loss or distortion of central vision — affecting reading, recognising faces, and seeing fine detail clearly.

Symptoms include a blurred or missing spot in central vision, distortion of straight lines, and reduced ability to see detail even with glasses.

The condition is diagnosed using OCT — a painless retinal scan providing a detailed cross-sectional image of the macula.

When surgery is appropriate, vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling has high success rates, particularly when performed before the hole has been present for an extended period.

If you have noticed a blank or distorted spot in your central vision, this warrants prompt assessment — not a wait-and-see approach.

08/06/2026

Cataract surgery removes the cloudy natural lens — but what replaces it is a decision worth understanding before your procedure.

A monofocal IOL corrects vision at one distance — typically far. Most patients will still need reading glasses post-operatively. It is reliable, predictable, and the standard NHS option.

A multifocal IOL divides light to create focus at multiple distances, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses altogether. Most patients adapt well, though some experience halos around lights initially.

An extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOL creates a continuous range of vision rather than distinct focal points — generally offering good intermediate and distance vision with fewer visual disturbances than a multifocal.

The right lens depends on your lifestyle, visual demands, retinal health, and expectations. This conversation happens during your pre-operative consultation — there is no universal answer.

With over 20,000 cataract procedures performed, including premium lens implantation, I guide patients through this decision every week.

Epiretinal membrane is one of the more underdiagnosed causes of central visual distortion — and one I see regularly in c...
05/06/2026

Epiretinal membrane is one of the more underdiagnosed causes of central visual distortion — and one I see regularly in clinical practice.

The condition occurs when a thin layer of fibrous tissue forms on the surface of the macula. As this membrane contracts, it causes the retina beneath it to wrinkle, leading to visual distortion, blurring, and in some cases reduced central vision.

Common symptoms include: straight lines appearing wavy (metamorphopsia), blurred central vision, difficulty reading, and occasionally a difference in perceived image size between the two eyes.

Many epiretinal membranes remain stable and require only monitoring. When vision is meaningfully affected, surgical treatment — vitrectomy with membrane peeling — can significantly improve vision and reduce distortion.

The earlier the condition is identified, the better the range of management options available. If you are experiencing central visual distortion, please do not dismiss it without getting it properly examined.

Receiving a referral from your optometrist to an ophthalmologist can feel alarming. It shouldn't.Optometrists are skille...
03/06/2026

Receiving a referral from your optometrist to an ophthalmologist can feel alarming. It shouldn't.

Optometrists are skilled at identifying signs of eye disease during routine examinations. When they detect something that requires medical management, surgical assessment, or specialist investigation — a referral is the appropriate and responsible next step. It is a sign the system is working as it should.

Common reasons for referral include: suspected glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy flagged at screening, macular changes, a cataract affecting vision, or unexplained visual symptoms requiring further investigation.

At your first ophthalmology consultation, expect a thorough clinical assessment — detailed examination of the front and back of the eye, relevant imaging, and a clear conversation about findings and options.

You are not committing to anything by attending. You are getting the specialist opinion your eyes may need.

Most people associate blurry vision with being short- or long-sighted. Astigmatism is different — and often misunderstoo...
01/06/2026

Most people associate blurry vision with being short- or long-sighted. Astigmatism is different — and often misunderstood.

The eye is designed to be spherical. In astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like a rugby ball than a football — with one meridian steeper than the other. This causes light to focus at two different points rather than one, producing blur and distortion at all distances.

Astigmatism is extremely common. Many patients have it alongside myopia or hyperopia without realising it. Symptoms include blurred vision at all distances, difficulty with night driving, eyestrain, and headaches after visual tasks.

The good news: it is very effectively corrected. Laser procedures — including LASIK and Trans-PRK — reshape the cornea to create a more regular curvature. For patients undergoing lens surgery, toric intraocular lenses address astigmatism at the same time.

If your glasses prescription includes a cylinder correction, you have astigmatism. A consultation will clarify whether and how it can be corrected surgically.

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