7 Common Eye Disorders and Diseases
Did you know more than 4 million Americans above the age of 40 are considered legally blind?
The visual acuity decreases rapidly after the age of 40 years and the best-corrected visual acuity has been observed to be 6/60 or worse. Eyesight is one of the most valuable assets and you must know of the most common eye diseases. Here is a list of the most common eye diseases in India.
Cataracts
Most cataracts are associated with age. It is characterised by a milky white coloured substance covering the lens. This eye disorder may be caused due to prolonged UV exposure, injury of some kind, or deterioration of protein over time. If the eye disease cataract is left untreated, it may lead to complete blindness. Cataracts being one of the most common eye diseases in India, successful surgical procedures have been developed to treat it. However, the recovery of vision may depend on the severity of the cataract one has developed.
Diabetic retinopathy
The eye disorder, diabetic retinopathy is caused due to extended periods of high levels of blood sugar. Diabetes type 1 and type 2 may cause this type of eye disorder. If left untreated for long it may cause permanent blindness. The reason behind this blindness is the lack of nutrients reaching the retina due to too much sugar in the blood vessels. Not everyone with diabetes gets diabetic retinopathy, it depends on the fluctuation of blood sugar and how well one controls their blood sugar level. This condition can be treated with surgery.
Refractive errors
Among the most common eye diseases in India, refractive error is a leading eye disorder. Refractive error occurs due to the change in length of the eyeball which can cause the change in length of the cornea. It may also be caused due to ageing. The most common treatment of refractive error is prescription glasses. Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are a few types of refractive errors seen in people.
Dry eyes
This eye disorder is caused when tear glands are unable to produce enough tears to keep the eye moisturised. Dry eyes may cause itching, irritation, burning of eyes, and rare eye diseases may cause loss of vision. Doctors may suggest eye drops to keep the eye moisturised, stimulate the production of tears from the ducts. A humidifier in the house may also improve the production of tears.
Teary eyes
Dry eyes are one of the eye diseases, but if you get too many tears that is also a bad indication. This may be due to the fact that your eyes are sensitive to bright light. Change in climate and wind pollution may also be the cause. Often, the problem is solved by wearing sunglasses, but you must visit a doctor to make sure it is not a symptom of something bigger than that. Teary eyes may be a symptom of some major eye disorder like blocked tear duct or eye injection.
Floaters
Yet another eye disorder, associated with age is a floater. People above the age of 50 have been spotted to have tiny specks in their eyes that can float around. These floaters do not hinder vision but they indicate the onset of eye diseases like detachment of the retina in the future. These flecks are caused due to protein deposition in the vitreous humour that can roam around. If such floaters have arrived you must visit a doctor immediately. Make sure to pay a visit to your doctor after the arrival of every new floater.
Glaucoma
One of the most common eye diseases in India, glaucoma is caused due to build-up of pressure in the eye. It is an inheritable disease and shows its symptoms in later years of life. Glaucoma causes deterioration of the optic nerve, the condition only worsens over time. The primary cause of damage in the optic nerve is due to high pressure which, if not relieved may lead to blindness. This eye disorder gives symptoms like blurry vision and pain late, so diagnosis is often critical. You should visit an ophthalmologist regularly to diagnose glaucoma during its early stages. After detection, the disease is treated with eye drops, surgically or by laser treatment.
Eye disorder, if caught early can be treated and it can be stopped from causing any further damage. There are many frightening disorders but you must go for regular checkups so that any disease is diagnosed at the earliest and treatment is started so that you do not lose your precious vision. Even if you do not have any problem related to the eye, you must visit a doctor every year just to be sure of the condition. People with a condition must visit the doctor as prescribed by your doctor. Do not ignore your health to stay healthy.
Make sure to check out 5 Work from Home Eye Care Tips You Should Know
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