Millions of Americans struggle with eye conditions that impair their vision. Once you lose your vision, you might not be able to get it back. As you get older, you should take the steps to ensure that you have healthy eyes, especially if you have trouble seeing.
Continue reading to learn about the most commonly diagnosed types of eye problems.
1. Dry Eye
Dry eye is a chronic eye condition that occurs when your tears don’t produce enough lubrication for the eyes. As a result, the eyes become inflamed and irritated. Other symptoms of dry eye include:
- Redness and irritation
- Stinging and burning
- Stringy mucus in and around the eyes
The tear instability you might experience from dry eye can stem from damage to the eye’s surface and aging. Certain medications and medical conditions can also cause dry eye.
Your doctor may give you prescription eye-drops for dry eyes to increase your tear production.
2. Cataracts
Cataracts are an eye condition in which the lenses of the eye become cloudy. The condition can develop at any age and can be present from birth. This is the leading cause of blindness in individuals worldwide.
The symptoms of cataracts developing include foggy vision, halos forming around lights, and sensitivity to light. Night blindness is also common with this condition.
It is essential for individuals having those symptoms to seek help from an eye doctor. The removal of cataracts is an option for treatment and is widely available in the U.S.
3. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a common eye disease in those over 40 years old. It’s the leading cause of blindness in those over 60. It occurs when fluid builds up in the eye and damages the optic nerve.
The disease can progress quickly, causing irreversible damage. There is no cure for glaucoma, but you can take action to prevent further damage and protect the eyes.
4. Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is common among diabetics. It occurs when continuous high blood sugar causes damage to the retina and can even cause it to become detached. The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:
- Blurred vision
- Dark or blank areas
- Floaters in the vision
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness for those with diabetes. Fortunately, disease management (controlling your blood pressure and blood sugar) can help prevent further progress in the disease.
5. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration is an eye condition that causes a loss of vision when the macula (the central part of the retina) wears away over time. This area of the eye is responsible for clear vision and daily tasks. The disease causes you to have bad eyesight, making it increasingly difficult to recognize faces and see fine details.
Types of Eye Problems
Maintaining healthy eyes should be one of your top health priorities. Getting routine checkups can help you catch these different types of eye problems before they affect your vision permanently.
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