Common Eye Conditions
Many eye diseases have no early symptoms. They may be painless, and you may see no change in your vision until the disease has become quite advanced.
The single best way to protect your vision is through regular professional eye examinations. Of course, between examinations, if you notice a change in your vision – or you think your eye may be injured in any way – contact your eye care professional immediately.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows a person to see fine detail. It causes problems with central vision, which is the vision used to see objects clearly.
Blepharitis
Everyone has bacteria on the surface of their skin,but in some people, bacteria thrive in the skin at the base of the eyelashes. Large amounts of bacteria around the eyelashes can cause dandruff-like scales and particles to form along the lashes and eyelid margins.
Cataract
Cataracts may cause blurred vision, dulled vision, sensitivity to light and glare, and/or ghost images. If the cataract changes vision so much that it interferes with your daily life, the cataract may need to be removed. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye problems that can happen in people with diabetes. All of these problems can cause severe vision loss or even blindness.
Diseases of the Cornea
The cornea is the eye’s outermost layer. It is a clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. It has two main functions: Protections and Vision.
Dry Eyes
The condition, called dry-eye syndrome, is widespread among older Americans. More than 75 percent of postmenopausal women have some eye irritation. Men get the disorder, too: more than 1 million U.S. men over 50 have seriously dry eyes, according to recent studies.
Floaters
Most people have floaters and learn to ignore them. A person with floaters usually doesn’t notice them until the floaters are large or numerous. Floaters can be more obvious when looking at something with a bright background, such as white paper or a blue sky.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that result in degeneration of the optic nerve and many are caused by increased pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss and even blindness.
Macular Hole
A macular hole can cause blurred and distorted central vision. Macular holes happen as the result of aging, and people who have them are usually older than age 60.
Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment is a condition in which a layer of tissue called the retina gets lifted or pulled away from its normal position in the eye. The retina acts as a light-sensitive wallpaper in the eye, lining the inside of the eye wall and sending visual signals to the brain.
Vitreous Detachment
A vitreous detachment is a condition in which a part of the eye called the vitreous shrinks and separates from the retina. The vitreous is a gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye ball.