10 Common Eye Diseases: Causes & Symptoms
Many people experience eye problems at least once in their lifetime. Minor eye problems go away independently or can be treated at home, while other issues may require a specialist’s care. Eyesight is an important asset in our lives. So, it’s good to maintain the health of your eyes. Below are the most common eye problems people experience; if any of these sounds familiar, you should see a doctor before the disease threatens your eyesight.
Common Eye Diseases, Their Causes & Symptoms
There are many different eye diseases; let’s look at the ten most common eye conditions:
1. Cataracts
Cataracts are an eye disorder characterized by cloudy areas on the eye’s lens that prevent light from reaching the retina.
Several reasons can lead to the clouding of the eye’s lens; they include UV exposure, an injury, or protein deterioration.
Look out for the following symptoms:
- Cloudy or dim vision
- Light sensitivity
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Colors appearing faded
Contact our Mahogany eye doctor if you experience any of the symptoms.
2. Refractive Errors
Refractive error occurs when the lens or shape of the eye fails to allow light to focus properly on the retina. That can affect the way you see clearly at a distance or up close.
Symptoms of refractive errors include:
- Blurry vision
- Eyestrain
- Squinting
- Headaches.
3. Age-related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs due to aging and damages central and sharp vision.
Symptoms of AMD become noticeable after the disease has progressed; they include:
- Blurred central vision
- Straight lines appear curved or wavy
- Blank spots in your vision.
4. Glaucoma
It’s an eye disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve and can cause blindness and vision loss. It occurs when there’s increased pressure in the eye. The pressure can impair the optic nerve, affecting how images are transmitted to the brain.
Symptoms:
- Headaches
- Eye pressure and pain
- Red eyes
- Blurred vision
- Blind spots
To know about the different treatment approaches for glaucoma, call or schedule an appointment with us at Premier Eye Care – Mahogany.
5. Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is associated with damage to blood vessels in the retina due to prolonged high blood sugar. The retina is important for you to have good vision. It mostly affects people with type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Its symptoms include:
- Fluctuating
- Blurred vision
- Vision loss
- Dark spots in your vision
- Trouble recognizing colors.
6. Keratoconus
Keratoconus happens when the cornea becomes thin and bulges or takes the shape of a cone. The irregular shape leads to light sensitivity and blurry vision.
As the disease progresses, you will experience symptoms like:
- Poor night vision
- Eye pain
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to light, distorted vision
- Streaking around light sources
Scheduling regular appointments with an optometrist near you will help detect the condition early.
7. Presbyopia
It is the loss of ability to see small prints or close objects clearly. Presbyopia is related to aging; patients experience the symptoms at the age of forty, and it worsens until age 65.
Presbyopia symptoms include:
- Eyestrain after reading
- Blurry vision when reading
8. Amblyopia
It’s also referred to as a lazy eye, the most common reason behind vision impairment in children. Amblyopia happens when the brain and the eye fail to work together properly, resulting in reduced vision in one eye.
Here are signs of amblyopia:
- Shutting one eye
- Head tilting
- Squinting
9. Retinal Detachment
This condition involves the detachment or separation of the retina from the tissues that attach it to the eye. The risk of vision loss increases as the tear elongates or the longer the detachment is left untreated.
Symptoms of retinal detachment include:
- Seeing flashes of light
- Blurred vision
- Receding peripheral vision
- The sudden appearance of floaters.
10. Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)
It’s a disorder that makes the eyes lose their inability to focus on the same point at the same time.
It can occur due to uncorrected refractive errors, head injuries, neurological problems, inheritance from a family member, or poor vision in one eye.
Strabismus is associated with the following symptoms:
- Double vision
- Uncoordinated eye movements
- Loss of depth perception.
Visit our optometrist in Calgary to learn more about strabismus.
Conclusion
Most eye diseases can cause blindness if not detected early or left untreated. The best way to prevent that is by scheduling annual eye exams with an optometrist. If you experience any vision changes, consult our optometrist in Calgary today!