Understanding Diseases Of The Eye.
If you value healthy sight, then understanding the basics
about eye diseases should be part of your vision education. While some eye
diseases present themselves with obvious symptoms, other diseases of the eye
don’t present themselves so obviously.
Here are some of the most common eye diseases. Take note of
them certainly, but remember: this is not a substitute for the expert advice of
an eye health professional. You should visit your eyecare professional on a
routine basis—as preventative maintenance for your valuable healthy sight, and
as an ongoing protection against diseases of the eye.
Minor Eye Irritation: Sand, dirt, or other
foreign matter on the eye's surface can cause irritation. Wash your hands and
then flush the eye with lukewarm water for up to 15 minutes. If the object
remains embedded, seek professional medical help immediately.
Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis
is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, or clear membrane covering the white part
of the eye and lining of the eyelids. Symptoms often include a gummy excretion
on the lid of the eye that can make eyelids feel as if they are sticking. There
are actually 20 different types of conjunctivitis, from fairly common strains
that usually pose no long-term danger to you or your child's vision, to types
that are resistant to antibiotics. Call or see your optometrist or family
doctor to treat conjunctivitis.
Dry Eye Syndrome: Itching, burning, and
irritation of the eyes, sometimes called "dry eye syndrome," is one of the most
common diseases of the eye treated by eyecare professionals. It is usually
caused by the reduction in the quality of the tears that lubricate our eyes. As
we age, our bodies produce less oil to seal the eyes' watery layer. Hot, arid
climates, air conditioning, certain medicines, and irritants such as cigarette
smoke can all increase dryness. Your eyecare professional might prescribe
"artificial tears" or other eye drops to help alleviate the problem.
Floaters and Spots: Ever notice a small
speck moving in your field of vision? It might be what's called a floater—a
tiny, free-floating clump of gel or cells in the vitreous (the clear,
jelly-like fluid inside your eye). Ageing, eye injury, and breakdown of the
vitreous are the main causes of floaters, and they are generally harmless. If
you notice a sudden increase in the number of spots you see, call your eyecare
professional.
Pterygium: This is a raised growth on the
eye that is most often directly related to over-exposure to the sun. Dry, dusty
conditions may also be a factor. Protecting your eye from UV radiation is a
critical preventive measure. As a disease of the eye, pterygium is a benign
growth, often requiring no treatment. If, however, the growth obstructs or
interferes with the pupil, surgery may be required.
Cataracts: A cataract is a clouding of the
crystalline lens in the eye, making it harder to see through. In a normal eye,
the crystalline lens is almost transparent and can change shape to focus objects
at different distances from the eye. When the lens becomes “opaque,” it is
called a cataract. Some types of cataract formation have been linked to
overexposure (over a long period of time) to ultraviolet (UV) light. As people
age, they have an increased chance of developing this eye disease, however
cataracts can often be treated with a safe and simple surgical procedure
performed by an ophthalmologist.
NOTE: Special precautions must be taken after cataract surgery to ensure that the eye is protected from sunlight. It is important to consult your eyecare professional to ensure proper protective eyewear is prescribed to you. And important that your everyday eyewear has 100% UV blockage.
Macular Degeneration: This is an eye
disease you'll likely hear more about as the population ages. Also known as
AMD or ARMD (age-related macular degeneration), this disease of the eye occurs
when the macula breaks down, or degenerates (the macula is the part of the
retina responsible for the sharp, central vision needed to read or drive). It is
a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in those 65 years of age and older.
NOTE: In almost all cases of macular degeneration,
some vision remains. Few macular degeneration patients experience total visual
loss, since the area of the macula makes up about 5% of the retina. That means
the macula is responsible for about 35% of the visual field. The remaining 65%
(your peripheral field) remains largely unaffected by the disease. But what it
does affect is the very core of your visual capability. As you age, be sure to
discuss ways to slow down the potential onset of this eye disease with your eyecare
professional.
Glaucoma: This is actually a group of eye
diseases specific to the optic nerve—the pathway of information from the eye to
the brain. Interocular pressure (pressure within the eyeball itself) is a
significant risk factor for developing glaucoma, however there is no set
threshold of pressure that indicates this eye disease will take hold. Since the
damage done is to the optic nerve itself, glaucoma damage cannot be reversed,
only treated (with either surgery or medications). It is a sneaky disease that
usually develops over long periods of time. That’s why it’s so important to have
regular eye examinations during which the interior of the eye and the optic
nerve can be examined.