What are the most common eye diseases?
The most common eye diseases include:
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is triggered by high pressure inside the eyeball and optic nerve damage. It can cause blindness if left untreated.
Cataracts
Cataracts, also known as cloudy eye lenses, are caused by age-related changes in your eyes.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy, blood vessel damage in your eyes, is triggered by high blood sugar.
Age-related macular degeneration
In age-related macular degeneration, inner-eye tissue wears down to cause central vision loss.
Dry eye syndrome
Dry eye syndrome happens when your eyes are chronically dry due to lack of natural eye lubrication and healthy tear film.
Many other eye diseases can affect nearly any part of your eyes. If you experience changes in vision or have symptoms of eye disease, it’s important to see your Ramirez & Poulos, MD, eye doctor as soon as possible.
What are the symptoms of eye disease?
One reason that eye diseases are so threatening is that they might not cause symptoms, especially in the initial stages. Glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy all tend to have few obvious symptoms in their early stages.
Often, your Ramirez & Poulos, MD, eye doctor identifies eye diseases during an exam before you notice symptoms, so regular eye exams are essential. When symptoms begin, you might notice some of the following problems:
- Decrease in vision
- Blurry vision
- Blank areas in your visual field
- Floaters, lines, or other shapes in your visual field
- Flashes of light that aren’t real
- Burning, dryness, or itching in eyes
- Sudden-onset eye pain
- Eye discharge
Although the symptoms can vary widely, it’s important to take all eye symptoms seriously. You only get one set of eyes, so don’t gamble on their health.
How are eye diseases treated?
Eye disease treatment depends on the type of disease, the stage of the disease, and whether your symptoms are causing severe problems in your life.
Cataracts
Removal is the only real treatment. Fortunately, cataract surgery is extremely effective today, with minimal downtime. But you might not need cataract removal surgery immediately. Anti-glare glasses, improved home lighting, and low-vision devices could help you delay surgery.
Age-related macular degeneration
Lifestyle changes such as taking supplements and using low-vision aids can help with the most common type of age-related macular degeneration. Some cases could require injections and laser therapy.
Diabetic retinopathy
Controlling your blood sugar is vital. In advanced cases of the disease, you might need vitrectomy surgery to remove blood and scar tissue from your inner eye or laser therapy.
Glaucoma
Eye drops, oral medication, or a combination of the two might improve symptoms. If your glaucoma progresses and begins to harm your vision, you’ll likely need surgery.
Dry eye syndrome
Eye drops and simple lifestyle changes often help. In severe cases your eye doctor can prescribe inner-eye inserts for continual lubrication, punctal plugs to close tear ducts, or surgery to close tear ducts.
Your Ramirez & Poulos, MD, eye doctor is here to help you achieve and maintain healthy vision, in spite of eye disease.
