Common Eye Diseases: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

The eyes are vulnerable organs due to their position in the body and also because of their delicate parts. Because of this, they are susceptible to various age-related diseases and other conditions. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to identify these conditions early on. Early detection is essential for effective treatment and preservation of vision.

Refractive Errors

The most common eye condition is refractive errors, which can impact anyone of any age. These refractive errors include:

• Myopia or shortsightedness.
• Hyperopia or long-sightedness.
• Astigmatism.
• Presbyopia or age-related long-sightedness.

Of all these refractive errors, the most common one is myopia. Shortsightedness has been increasing among younger people than older people. Its onset is usually early on because it is often genetically transmitted. There are some treatments to slow its progression, but you can do nothing to reverse it.
 

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD

Macular degeneration can affect anyone but primarily affects adults as they age. It usually impacts sharp and central vision. It does this mainly by affecting the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Central vision is essential for recognizing objects close to your face, which is why most people with AMD find it hard to recognize faces.
 

AMD comes in two main types:

• Dry AMD

Dry AMD is the more common of the two types of AMD, and it affects about 70% to 90% of all people with the condition. It occurs when the macula thins out due to the gradual impact on central vision. It progresses slower than other forms of AMD, and it can go unnoticed until significant parts of the macula are impacted.
 

• Wet AMD

This more severe condition often leads to vision loss in the affected eye. It develops when abnormal blood vessels form under the macula. These blood vessels start to leak fluid and blood into the macula. The blood vessels also scar the macula, leading to rapid deterioration of its structure and function. An early symptom of this condition is straight lines suddenly appearing wavy.
 

Cataracts

Cataracts are the foremost cause of blindness worldwide, usually impacting older people. However, younger people may also develop the condition under particular circumstances. The condition is defined as the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to blurry vision.
 

The eye’s lens becomes cloudy when protein particles collect on the surface of the lens. It has no early symptoms, but it is time to see the eye doctor once you notice colors appearing dull.
 

Diabetic Retinopathy

DR is another common eye condition and is the leading cause of blindness in adults in America. It characterizes the gradual and irreversible damage of the blood vessels in the retina. It progresses in four main stages, and early detection is critical to preserving vision.
 

The four stages are mild, moderate, and severe nonproliferative retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy. Treatment and management usually involve regulating blood sugar levels. They also require proper management of blood pressure and lipid abnormalities.
 

Glaucoma

This group of eye conditions impacts eye health by damaging the optic nerve behind the retina. They usually lead to high intraocular pressure, which is the main cause of optic nerve damage. These conditions have no early symptoms, and detection depends on regular eye checkups.
 

For more on common eye diseases, visit Cibolo Valley Vision at our office in Cibolo, Texas. Call us today to schedule an appointment.