The eye captures the image and the eye sorts everything out… The perception of vision is a complex phenomenon. What we can see depends on many factors including how the outside world is illuminated, how that light from the outside world gets transmitted into the eye and how then those signals from the eye are sent via electrical signals along nerves to the brains visual centres to interpret the images illuminated of the outside world. The eye is primarily responsible for capturing light from the outside world and processing this into an electrical signal for the brain to interpret. The electrical signals are therefore not processed in the eye, but through the optic nerves into the brain centre responsible for vision processing. We can consider the basic steps of visual perception as follows: Light rays enter the eyes outer layer (cornea), pass through the ‘black hole’ called the pupil. These light rays then strike the natural lens of the eye, which focuses the light rays onto the retina. The cells of the retina transform the light into electrical impulses and transmit these to the brain, where the electrical impulses are changed to chemical interactions allowing the sensation of sight. The brain then filters the images into areas of colour, contract, the direction of movement and location. These are building blocks assembled together to allow interpretation of the vision. The most common cause of visual impairment worldwide is a group of disorders called ‘refractive errors’, resulting in blurred images. The main refractive errors are myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), presbyopia (loss of near vision with age) and astigmatism. Click on the links below for more information on these conditions. 30.6%Myopia prevalence across Europe25.2%Hyperopia prevalence across Europe23.9%Astigmatism prevalence across Europe1.04Presbyopia prevalence across Europe Click on the links below for more information on these conditions. MyopiaHypermetropiaAstigmatismPresbyopia Patient Testimonials Excellent experience From start to finish first class care, and nothing too much trouble. I am pleased to report the operated eye is working very well, and a big thank you to all concerned. I have a learned a new tune to play at Church this Sunday, "I… Geoff Eddleston Efficient service Really quick referral and appointment at CHEC Stockport. Lovely staff. Efficient and timely appropriate medical care. Responsive follow up. Premises are really clean and a pleasant experience at a worrying time of a health issue involving eyesight. Excellent care thank you! Richard Thrilled I am thrilled with my 1st eye surgery and even happier to hear from head office the day after my post-cataract check offering me an appointment for my second eye surgery, especially after being told it may be 6-8 weeks. Everyone is friendly, and I can’t… Anonymous Very pleased I am very pleased with the service at CHEC, it is absolutely first-class. From the receptionists, the way I was treated and having the operation done was good. Since having the operation my vision has been very good. Anonymous Thank you Thank you to everyone for making Brian’s cataract operation go so smoothly, together with your kindness and support, we are sure Brian will be well on track soon to be able to see where his golf ball lands again. I will then be a golfing widow… Anonymous Highly satisfied I had a cataract removed July of last year, very successful and the staff were excellent. I recently returned this July for a follow-up appointment, again the staff were excellent, but have to commend the young receptionist for her friendliness and manner, in which she welcomed… Diane Mellows Fantastic experience The whole process has been very fast and exceeded my expectations. The staff are all very friendly and professional. I am very pleased with CHEC Northampton. Anonymous Great practice I’m amazed by the quick, efficient service and ecstatic about the results. I now see car number plates, road signs, and TV text bright and clearly, with everything appearing detailed. This is the best birthday present ever. Thank you so much, please don’t change a thing. Marian Curran