Eye Problems- Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Common Eye Problems

The eyes are one of the most important parts of your body which should be taken care of throughout life to ensure good vision. Eyes enable you to see the world and hence, they can be called the most valuable parts of your body. However, like every other body part, eyes are also exposed to several problems or risks that can occur due to several reasons. Eye problems can range from minor, which can be treated at home, or major that requires professional treatment from a doctor. An Ophthalmologist is a medical specialist who treats eye-related problems.

 Causes Of Eye Problems

Eye issues can occur due to several factors including age, injury, lack of cleanliness, maintenance, infection, and more. Eye problems can either be curable or incurable based on the severity of the cause. While most of the eye problems are minor and can be cured using home remedies, some of the eye problems turn severe due to delay in seeking medical treatment and turn worse. In most cases, the symptoms of eye problem get worse due to neglecting and often results in the loss of vision.

Symptoms Of Eye Problems

Eye issues are one of the most common problems which people may experience once in their lifetime. There are several signs and symptoms of eye issues through which people can identify their eye problem, these include:

• Extreme eye pain
• Sudden loss of vision
• Blurred vision
• Floaters
• Red or watery eyes
• Difficulty in opening the eye
• Trauma in the eye

 Types Of Eye Problems

1) Refractive errors

Refractive errors involve having blur visions of both near and far placed objects. A person going through this problem may suffer from both problems including nearsightedness, farsightedness. This usually happens due to the interference between the shape of the eye and focus light on the retina. The major cause of refractive errors is the hereditary issue. Other causes may include ageing and presbyopia.

Treatment: To get rid of this problem, people can wear glasses, contacts or get laser surgery to improve their vision.

 2) Cataract

People suffering from cataracts may have a cloudy, milky lens in the eye. People having an age of above 50 years are more likely to develop this issue. It causes blurry vision and creates a problem in viewing both far and near-placed objects. Although, people below the age of 50 can also develop a cataract. This eye problem can occur out of several conditions including injury, UV exposure, or protein deterioration over a period. All of these situations cause the eye to give a cloudy vision. If neglected, a cataract can turn worse and lead to the loss of vision.

Treatment: To treat this problem, people may undergo cataract surgery.

3) Keratoconus

The dome-shaped outer lens of our eye called the cornea is responsible for controlling and focusing the entry of light into the eye. However, the cornea holding structure called collagen can become weak due to certain reasons and result in making the cornea appear cone-shaped. It can give rise to the problem of Keratoconus. People need to pay attention to the symptoms and acquire immediate treatment, otherwise, it can lead to a serious loss of vision or may require a cornea transplant later.

Treatment: The treatment for Keratoconus will start with eyeglasses. It can be used to strengthen the cornea and improve vision.

4) Diabetic Retinopathy

Several health diseases can give rise to diabetic retinopathy including high blood sugar, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This eye problem can result in blindness if neglected. Our retina does need a lot of nutrients to maintain a good vision, however, an increase in the level of blood sugar can alter the blood vessels in the back of the eye. A person having type 1 or type 2 diabetes is at a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Treatment: People may undergo laser surgery to treat diabetic retinopathy. The procedure will involve sealing or destroying the leaking blood vessels in the retina.

 5) Muscular Degeneration

The major cause of blindness is damage to the macula, it is the area of the retina that is responsible for entering light into the eye. The risk factors for developing muscular degeneration include old age, female gender, smoking, and family history.

Treatment: There are several treatments available that can slow down the progress of the disease, however, a permanent cure for muscular degeneration does not exist. People can choose from the various treatment options available including anti-angiogenic drugs, laser therapy, photodynamic laser therapy, and intake of vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper.

 6) Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye problem that affects the optic nerve of your eye and worsens over time. The major cause of developing glaucoma is the buildup of pressure inside your eye. This eye problem can be inherited and might not occur until later in life. The optic nerve which is responsible for transmitting images to the brain gets damaged due to the intraocular pressure and result in the permanent loss of vision if not treated on time. This medical condition might not show any symptoms for a long time, so it is advisable to visit your doctor regularly to discover the problem.

Treatment: Glaucoma can be treated through various options including lasers, eye drops, or surgery.

 7) Floaters

Floaters are one of the most common eye problems which can be found in people above the age of 50. Floaters are tiny spots or specks that can be seen floating across the field of vision. It is formed due to the deposition of protein in the vitreous, a jelly-like substance filling the centre of your eye. Floaters usually do not block the vision, however, they can lead to much more serious problems including retinal detachment that comes along with the light flashes.

Treatment: If you experience spots or several flashes in your vision, then consult a doctor, he may recommend an invasive surgery called Vitrectomy. During this procedure, your doctor will remove eye floaters from the line of your vision.

 8) Presbyopia

A person having presbyopia will be enabled to see close objects or small prints. This eye problem also confuses with farsightedness. People with old age are often at a higher risk of developing Presbyopia. It occurs mainly due to the loss of flexibility in the eye’s natural lens, while, a person may experience farsightedness due to the natural shape of the eyeball causing the light rays to bend incorrectly once it enters the eye.

Treatment: Your doctor will recommend wearing corrective lenses, getting a lens implant, or undergoing refractive surgery to treat presbyopia.

 9) Dry eyes

The problem of dry eyes can occur due to the inability of tear glands to produce enough tears or poor quality tears. Lack of tears can make the eye go dry and cause several problems including discomfort, irritation, burning sensation, and permanent loss of vision.

Treatment: The treatment for dry eyes will include using a humidifier at home, eye drops to simulate real tears, or getting plugs placed in tear ducts to decrease tear drainage.

10) Tearing

Tearing is an eye problem that involves your eyes producing an excessive amount of tears. This condition can occur when your eyes are too sensitive to the wind, light, or temperature changes. To get rid of these problems, a person can wear sunglasses or shield their eyes to protect them from harsh weather changes. If this doesn’t solve the problem, then there might be a problem of eye infection or blocked tear duct.

Treatment: In case of eye infection or blocked tear duct, your doctor may recommend some antibiotics or perform a surgical procedure to clear blocked tear ducts.

 Various eye problems can be completely cured or slowed if detected earlier. Pay attention to your symptoms and visit your doctor regularly for an eye checkup to identify problems, if any.

The best way to treat your eyes is to visit your eye care professional and get your eyes checked regularly. He will be able to assess the best method of treatment for your eye ailment. Visit our website Eyemantra.To book an appointment call +91-8851044355. Or mail us at [email protected].Our other services include Retina Surgery, Specs Removal, Cataract Surgery, and many more.

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