The human eye is extremely sensitive and vulnerable to damage and various diseases. To protect your vision, you should be aware of the signs of serious eye problems, so that you can seek prompt medical care.
1. Dry Eye Syndrome
Why do my eyes hurt when I wake up? If you have ever asked yourself or someone else this question, you probably have dry eye syndrome. It occurs when your tear glands do not produce a proper amount of tearing, which leads to a lack of moisture and lubrication. With dry eye syndrome symptoms, you may also experience:
- Inflamed and painful eyes
- Blurry vision
- Constant eye irritation
- Feeling like something is in your eye
2. Cataracts
Cataracts largely affect the elderly and are characterized by cloudy lenses that result in blurry vision. This condition progresses as we age and can be diagnosed during a routine eye exam for treatment.
3. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is caused by a buildup of pressure inside the eye, which leads to optic nerve damage. There are two main types of this disease, namely:
- Open-angle glaucoma, which develops slowly, often showing no symptoms until your vision gets impacted. For this disease, it is vital to have regular eye checkups to allow for early diagnosis and treatment as the vision damage it causes is irreversible.
- Angle-closure glaucoma, which comes suddenly and with pain.
Glaucoma has a strong genetic influence and is more common in people over 40.
4. Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is an eye condition that largely affects people older than 60. It is caused by the wearing away of the macula, which is the central part of the retina, which gradually leads to vision loss. It often does not have any symptoms at the early stages, but once it progresses, you will notice:
- A breakdown of your central vision
- Inability to recognize fine details, straight lines, or faces
5. Diabetic Retinopathy
High blood sugar can often result in retinal damage and detachment, which can lead to retinopathy. This means it is important to control your blood sugar and blood pressure. You should consult an eye doctor if you notice:
- Regular shifting from blurry to clear vision
- Difficulty in seeing colors clearly
- Floating strings in your vision
6. Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina gets separated from its underlying structures. This process is often painless, and its primary symptoms are curtain-like shadows in your visual field, blurred vision, and sudden appearances of floating strings.
Those at a higher risk of suffering from this condition are older people who have undergone cataract surgery and nearsighted adults between the ages of 25 and 50.
7. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is characterized by the inflammation and redness of tissues covering the eye and inside the conjunctiva. It is primarily caused by bacterial and viral infections or irritants such as allergens, chemicals, and pollutants. These infections are often viral and best treated with antibiotic drops or ointments and good hygiene.
Maintaining your vision is critical for good health, and regularly seeing your eye doctor is a great way to avoid these common eye problems!
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