The eye lets us see and interact closely with people and our environment. Through vision, we develop strong emotions and even deeper memories. But the eye may experience damage or develop defects that hinder normal functioning. Eye disorders vary in their causes and treatment methods.
One of the primary causes of eye defects in the US today is aging. Most people with eye disorders are 40 years and above. But with the advancement in ophthalmology services tucson az and the nation at large, eye treatment is no longer a problem. Here are the five most common eye disorders you should know.
- Cataracts
You suffer from cataracts if there is a cloudy patch on your eye’s lens. Most eye cataract patients are in their late 70s or early 80s because old age is one of the primary risk factors for this eye disease. One risks developing cataracts if they drink or smoke too much. Extensive exposure to very bright light also causes eye cataracts. To treat this disorder, an ophthalmologist replaces your damaged lens with an artificial one through surgery.
- Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye disorder resulting from damage to the retinal blood vessels. Excess sugar in the body causes unusual growth of the vessels, making your retina defective. Common signs of Diabetic Retinopathy include; struggling to distinguish colors, blurred vision, red eyes, the floaters’ effect, and painful eyes. To diagnose this eye defect, an ophthalmologist may conduct a visual acuity test or optical coherence tomography, among others.
- Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye defect that develops if excess fluid pressure destroys the optical nerve. The condition hinders the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain and causes various complications. People with Glaucoma may become completely blind or experience various vision-related problems. Detecting the early stages of Glaucoma is difficult, and that’s why it is one of the riskiest eye disorders in the world today.
- Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis develops when your conjunctiva swells due to bacterial or viral infections. The inflammation can also result from other factors such as over-smoking, allergy, or poor diet. Conjunctivitis requires more care because it is highly contagious. You can contract it through skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. Conjunctivitis usually disappears after some time, but you can speed its healing using appropriate medications.
- The Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is an eye disease that prevents the production of enough tears. As a result, your eyes become dry and reddish. More severe cases of the defect lead to the inflammation of the eye. Even though incurable, you can control Dry Eye Syndrome by applying artificial tears. Among its risk factors are old age, some underlying medical conditions, and a lack of enough vitamin A in the body.
There are numerous eye diseases. Some do not necessarily need treatment, while others do. Also, some eye disorders do not have a cure. So, doctors can only prescribe drugs that manage them to make the patients feel better.
The five most common eye defects are Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Conjunctivitis, and Dry Eye Syndrome. To make treatments more effective, you should combine medication with preventive measures.
