Eyes at Risk - Common Eye Diseases That Can Damage Vision
Most people have eye problems at some point in their lives. Some are considered common eye problems, and others are less so.
So even if your vision is no longer what it used to be, and even if you've been accustomed to seeing blurry and unclear for years, there are several things you can do to improve your condition.
In this article, we'll focus on the 3 most common eye diseases that affect vision: cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. We'll understand what these diseases are, what their symptoms are, and how they can be treated and prevented from worsening.
Cataracts - When the World Becomes Blurry
After age 40-50, it becomes harder for us to see up close without glasses. This happens because the eye's lens becomes cloudy and stops adjusting itself to the distance from the object we're looking at.
Initially, cataracts can be treated with glasses, but this is only a temporary solution.
After the condition worsens, the recommendation is to treat cataracts through a relatively simple surgery to remove the lens and implant an artificial, healthy lens in place of the damaged one.
After surgery, you can see clearly again! The surgery is short and safe, and you can return home the next day. So if the world is blurry - don't worry, there's a solution.
Glaucoma - The Silent Thief of Vision
Glaucoma is one of the most common eye diseases, causing irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is considered the second leading cause of vision loss worldwide: 30% of glaucoma patients will become blind in one eye and about 10% will become blind in both eyes.
Usually, symptoms in the early stages are mild or non-existent, which is why it's also called "the silent thief of vision."
Glaucoma is typically characterized by high pressure inside the eye, and the first symptoms are blurred or double vision, glaring light in the eyes, pressure sensation, and decreased visual acuity.
Over time and gradually, the pressure can lead to vision loss, so it's important to diagnose it early.
Treatment involves reducing eye pressure using drops or medications that help slow the disease's progression, and in more advanced stages, surgery can also be considered.
Macular Degeneration - The Most Common Cause of Vision Loss
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common disease that affects an area called the macula, located in the retina and responsible for central vision.
In the early stages of the disease, there's a relatively slow decline in vision quality, but as the disease progresses, retinal damage accelerates and causes sharp decline up to vision loss.
Diagnosis is made through retinal examination using various imaging devices and eye photography after contrast material injection.
This sounds a bit scary, but it's very worthwhile to be examined by a certified optometrist to detect the disease early, otherwise it will limit the patient's function more and more.
The good news is that the disease is treatable, but treatment also becomes less pleasant as the disease progresses further.
Our Heartfelt Recommendation ❤️
The truth is there are many more common eye diseases we could tell you about, but the most important thing is to be examined regularly by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, so that treatment will be easier and solvable with glasses or contact lenses, and you won't need to undergo surgeries.
The best way to prevent or "catch" eye diseases at an early stage is to take good care of your eyes and have eye exams once a year.
If you're experiencing symptoms such as blurred vision, eye pressure, or any symptom that seems like a "warning light" to you - go for an eye exam without hesitation.
