Common Eye Diseases and Symptoms
It goes without saying that having good eyesight enables us to have a good quality of life. Not taking care of them could lead to a whole host of problems, the least of which are embarrassing and might need at least some medical attention. Eye issues such as styes do not need professional consultation and can go away on their own in approximately a week, but some of them may be chronic and require surgery. Listed here are some of the main types of eye conditions and their symptoms. Being aware of the same might make it easier to detect them in time and visit the opthalmologist for a consultation.
- Age-related macular degeneration
This is one of the main types of eye conditions in the US. In this disease, the cells of the macula get damaged. Blurry vision and partial vision loss are the symptoms of this condition and it can be treated with medicines, laser therapy, and dietary supplements. - Cataract
This is another type of eye condition where cloudy areas form on the lens. The most obvious symptoms include clouded or dim vision or seeing “halos.” The best way to treat cataracts is via surgery. - Glaucoma
In this eye disease, the normal fluid pressure in the eyes rises, damaging the optic nerve and leading to vision loss. Symptoms include tunnel vision, peripheral vision, and pain. Medicine and surgery are the recommended treatments for this condition. - Diabetic retinopathy
In this disease, blood vessels in the retina get damaged due to diabetes. Spots or strings floating through the vision or fluctuating vision are some symptoms of it. The disease is treated via a procedure called photocoagulation. - Refractive errors
Refraction in the eye occurs when light passes through the cornea and lens. An error can occur due to changes in the shape of the cornea, length of the eyeball, or aging of the lens. Refractive errors are one of the main types of eye conditions that can cause vision problems such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. A constant blurred vision is one of the main symptoms of this and treatments include eyeglasses, contact lenses, and surgery. - Strabismus
Here the eyes point in different directions. Double vision and difficulty in focusing on a particular point are some symptoms. The treatments available are surgery, eye patching, drops, and glasses. - Amblyopia
This occurs when the vision is less in one of the eyes due to improper coordination between the brain and that eye. The symptom is a weaker vision in that eye which tends to move lazily. Treatment includes corrective glasses, contact lenses, or using a patch on the lazy eye. - Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is one of the main types of eye conditions. In this, swelling occurs on the conjunctiva, which is the thin transparent layer lining the inner surface of the eyelid and covering the white part of the eye. Symptoms include a gritty feeling, tearing, swelling, discharge, irritation, redness, and pain. Eye drops and ointments can treat the condition effectively. - Keratoconus
The dome-shaped cornea becomes cone-shaped when the collagen holding it becomes weak. Blurred vision or a loss of vision are the symptoms of this condition and it can be treated with the help of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and corneal transplants. - Dry eyes
When tear glands cannot make sufficient tears, this condition develops. Its symptoms are itching, burning, and a loss of vision. The treatment for dry eyes includes eye drops and using humidifiers in rooms.